Junior doctors in Hackney walked out at 8am today as part of a nationwide 48 hour strike over the terms of a new “unfair and unsafe” contract.
Protesters led by the British Medical Association gathered at Homerton University Hospital, the main health unit in the borough, as passing ambulances, buses and cars regularly honked their horns in support.
Hackney Post spoke to junior doctors, patients and protesters about the strike.
WHAT THE DOCTORS SAY
Simon, 36, a junior doctor at Homerton University Hospital, told Hackney Post:
“The contract being imposed in unfair and unsafe.
“Hackney and the rest of the country will be impacted by the fact that doctors will be being made to work in a way that is potentially unsafe, by hours being made longer.
“We’re just here to make sure the NHS provides a good service and safe service.
“Jeremy Hunt should listen to the BMA’s concerns, because they aren’t being listened to. Doctors appreciate that sometimes contracts need to change, but it needs to be done in a way that is safe and fair.”
Catherine, an anaesthetic registrar at the hospital, who has worked for the NHS for six years, said:
“I’m here striking today because although I don’t want to inconvenience patients, the contract that is being pushed on us isn’t safe for patients. It’s potentially unsafe for doctors too because it takes away a lot of the vital safeguards that we have currently to stop us being overworked, so that we can work to the best of our abilities to keep patients safe.
“I think the public in Hackney are largely very supportive. We’d like to say thank you, we really appreciate it, because sometimes we feel a little bit like the world is against us.”
WHAT THE PATIENTS SAY
John, 68, a retired antiques dealer, who regularly comes to the hospital due to chronic breathing problems, said:
“I support the junior doctors strike. It’s important for Hackney.
“I’m glad they don’t interfere much with the running of hospital and I very much approve of their decision.
“It should be done in a way that works best for them rather than being told what to do.”
Anne-Marie, 24, an international business student, said:
“I think it’s a bit of a ‘Catch 22’ situation, because obviously they’re protesting for their rights – more rest and fairer hours. But, at the same time, by protesting they are putting patients at risk.
“I don’t think it’s a solution for the problem. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Even though the government is wrong, they could a different tactic to prove their point.
“Rather than protesting, they could get interviews from patients and surveys, to support what they’re doing.”
WHAT THE HOSPITAL SAYS
Mark Purcell, a spokesman for Homerton Hospital, said in a statement:
“Junior doctors undertake a significant amount of work within our Trust and are a key component of clinical teams.
“To ensure the continuation of safe clinical services during the proposed days of action we have been working with our clinical teams to review contingency plans and ensure services are maintained as near as normal as is possible.
“Our priority will be to ensure that there is minimal impact on emergency care and our urgent care services in particular, and our plans include suitable clinical cover for emergency rotas to ensure that we continue to provide high quality care which is safe for our patients.”
WHAT THE PROTESTERS SAY
Carol Ackroyd, of the Hackney branch of ‘Keep Our NHS Public’, said:
“We’re here to oppose how the government is destroying the NHS.
“If doctors in hospitals are spread even thinner, the impact on GPs will be enormous.
“Since 2010, councils have had their budgets severely cut, and Hackney is due to have another £30 million cut.
“The NHS bill is a very positive, constructive bill that we are all supporting, which is going to reinstate the duty of the Secretary of State for Health to oversee and be responsible for the NHS.”
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George, 58, a non-doctor protester, said:
“I am here to show solidarity and support for the NHS in general, and the ideals that the NHS were founded – probably one of the greatest things about this country, and I think it is being compromised and negated for the sake of profit.
“If someone comes to this hospital in Hackney and is treated by someone who is overworked and has had a lack of sleep, obviously they are going to be at a disadvantage.
“I think Jeremy Hunt should leave, resign immediately, and apologise to everyone in the country for participating in theft of a public good.”
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SAYS:
A Department of Health spokesperson said:
“Further strike action is completely unnecessary and will mean tens of thousands more patients face cancelled operations – over a contract that was 90 per cent agreed with the BMA and which senior NHS leaders including Simon Stevens have endorsed as fair and safe.
“The new contract will mean an average 13.5 per cent basic pay rise, and will bring down the maximum number of hours doctors can work.
“We urge junior doctors to look at the detail of the contract and the clear benefits it brings.”
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