BAPIO writes to Prime Minister for intervention.
There are over 50,000 junior doctors who work in the NHS, providing a sterling service often in under-resourced hospitals. The British Medical Association has been trying to obtain a fair deal from the Department of Health, and in failing to do this took the unusual step of supporting the junior doctors in Industrial Action, something that has not been witnessed since the 1970’s.
The English government has ignored the concerns expressed by junior doctors about over-work, safety of patients and long hours demanded through the imposition of what is clearly an unfair contract. It is a sad day for the NHS, the juniors and patients that Mr Jeremy Hunt has imposed a new contract on them commencing this summer. BAPIO is dismayed by this imposition as it will turn many of our bright youngsters away from medicine, it will make current junior doctors look at other countries where they will have a more balanced life style and they will not be under the constant pressure that exists in the NHS. Over-worked doctors risk making mistakes which would harm patients, thus putting their professional careers at risk. Our junior doctors take the Hippocrates principle of ‘First do no harm’ very seriously. A forced contract will badly affect their morale and have long term repercussions on retention and recruitment.
The junior doctors of today are Consultants and GPs of tomorrow. They form the fabric of the NHS and therefore we urge the Prime Minister to intervene and ask the Secretary of State for Health to reopen negotiations with the BMA.