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This from Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary, Isle of Wight – National Education Union. Ed
Listening to junior doctors outside St Mary’s hospital on Wednesday morning, it soon became clear why they had walked out. The basic reasons – similar to those of teachers.
15 years of decreasing pay – more than 26 per cent in real terms. General austerity and staff recruitment and retention. If government made a credible offer to resolve pay erosion, strikes could be avoided.
Being tempted to leave the country
One doctor said,
“Many are tempted to leave and go to greener pastures, better terms and conditions.”
Indeed, an email arrived again this morning asking them to apply for a better paid, more relaxed role in Australia. With English starting salaries being around £14 an hour, an obvious temptation.
Over 70 hours working week
Another told me of a more challenging week – over 70 hours. Caring for over a hundred patients and being expected to do the job of two or three junior doctors. The impact: an inability to provide the best possible medical support to all their ill patients resonates with all strikers.
No staff changing rooms or workable showers. A distinct lack of space in A&E makes it impossible to have any private intimate conversation with a patient.
Envy of German system
Strikers expressed their envy of medical care in Germany. Hospitals tend to work at around 80 per cent capacity.
Staff have time to deliver excellent patient care.
Consultants considering strikes
Even consultants have been considering striking. Vishal Sharma, chair of the BMA Consultants Committee, said,
“Both doctors and the NHS bear the scars of the broken pay review process. Unless these issues are fixed, the NHS will continue to haemorrhage talent and essential expertise, leaving patients without the highly skilled doctors they need to care for them.”
Dysfunctional environments
This sentiment is true for all public services.
How can any of them deliver the service for which they have been trained, when so many environments appear dysfunctional and overwhelmed by challenges?
Junior Doctors on the Isle of Wight will be on the picket line from 8am to midday on Friday 14th April 2023. Ed
