YP Letters: Compromise could have ended junior doctor strike

WITH regard to the junior doctors’ strike, a compromise was suggested, namely that the new shifts proposed by Jeremy Hunt be given a trial in a sample of hospitals.

This should have been tried out, especially as the BMA promised to call off the strike if agreed.

This trial had the support of all opposition parties in the Commons, and also the Tory MP and former minister Dr Dan Poulter (who courageously resisted pressure from the whips).

Your balanced editorial (The Yorkshire Post, April 26) omitted to mention him or the evidence from Dr Sarah Wollaston, another Tory MP and 
head of the Health Select Committee, who has challenged the Government by explaining 
that it is the shortage of 
senior staff and of diagnostic testing at weekends which is the problem at weekends.

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

I AM hoping that one good thing that comes out of the junior doctors’ dispute is that people will take more responsibilty for their own health instead of running to their GP or hospital A&E with minor ailments easily dealt with at home.