We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below. This from Green Party MEP for the South East, Keith Taylor. Ed
It seems inevitable that our junior doctors will strike again tomorrow (Tuesday) and it’s sad that they have been forced to this point by the intransigence of the Health Secretary.
The government must change the way it treats our NHS and reopen negotiations with junior doctors.
A caring Health Secretary would put forward a contract that is fair and safe for staff and patients alike.
Smearing a strained workforce
A conscientious Health Secretary would cease his attempts to smear a strained workforce tirelessly plugging huge rota gaps with good will alone.
A sincere Health Secretary would abandon his campaign of misrepresentation and misinformation.
Until then, I and other NHS supporters and champions will join the overwhelming majority of people in the South East in continuing to stand in solidarity with NHS staff as they fight to protect our beloved health service.
Industrial action a last resort
Industrial action is a last resort and junior doctors are striking with a heavy heart. In fact, the BMA has made yet another clear offer to call off this action if Jeremy Hunt drops his insistence on imposing a dangerous new contract.
While it’s welcome news that consultants will be covering emergency and life-saving care on 26 and 27 April, Jeremy Hunt must surely want to avert strike action so that all doctors can be on hand to do what they do best.
The government is playing with fire with its bullying and disrespectful attitude towards our junior doctors. It has to stop.
Keith Taylor, Green Party MEP for the South East, Brussels
Image: rohinfrancis under CC BY 2.0
