YP Letters: Doctors' dispute is about the future of NHS

From: Dr Glyn Powell, Bakersfield Drive, Kellington, Goole.
Campaigners marching in protest over proposed NHS reform.Campaigners marching in protest over proposed NHS reform.
Campaigners marching in protest over proposed NHS reform.

THE NHS junior doctors’ dispute with the Government over the imposition of unworkable contracts of employment continues. It is important that the public maintains its full support for the junior doctors as this dispute is not solely about the doctors maintaining reasonable contracts that enable them to care for patients safely but also about the future of the NHS.

The junior doctors must not be defeated or we will have a health service reminiscent of that found in the 19th century. In this context, it is important that all employed in the health service support the junior doctors’ strike action.

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It is pleasing that lawyers acting for the British Medical Association (BMA) have commenced legal action against the Government’s changes, in their bid to obtain a judicial review. It is also heartening that the strike action planned is a total walkout with no emergency provision. I say this as a leukaemia patient, as the ends sought by the doctors far outweigh any collateral suffering or death in the immediate term.

If Jeremy Hunt truthfully wants a seven-day hospital service he should begin by recruiting and training thousands more doctors.