Star date: 10th February 2016

`WE WORK HARD AND WE FIGHT HARD' SAY SALFORD JUNIOR DOCTORS

Junior doctors, on 24 hour strike today against the Tory Government's proposed imposition of new contracts, say they will continue to take on Jeremy Hunt in the fight for fair conditions. Talking on the picket line outside Salford Royal Hospital, Hannah, a junior doctor, said "We work hard and we fight hard as well, so we're not going to back down".

The doctors have huge public support and, locally, were joined on the picket lines this morning by Salford City UNISON, Salford Against The Cuts and Labour Party members.

Full details here...

"The support has been incredible"

The message from junior doctors on the picket line outside Salford Royal Hospital this morning was loud and clear... `We're not going to back down...'

The junior doctors are on strike for 24 hours over the intransigence of the Tory Government trying to impose new contracts which will force them to work more hours with less breaks and a reduction in pay over their working lifetime.

BMA junior doctors' leader, Dr Johann Malawana, confirmed today that the doctors' `union' offered a deal to end the dispute last night but it was rejected... "The Government has decided instead to play the political game rather than addressing the concerns of these doctors..." he said.

Indeed, junior doctors are furious at the stand taken by Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, with banners and placards articulating their anger on the Salford picket line today... `Stop going on national tv and lying Jeremy Hunt' stated one, while another added `I don't want to be smeared...I want a safe and fair contract...'

"The contract that Jeremy Hunt is proposing at the moment is not safe for patients and it doesn't reward us fairly for the hard work that we put into the NHS" explained Salford junior doctor, Hannah "I think he has been acting a little bit on the unprofessional side but we're just going to keep fighting for what we believe at the end of the day. He thinks we're going to back down but we work hard and we fight hard as well, so we're not going to back down.
 
"No junior doctor wants to strike" she added "A lot of us are here safe in the knowledge that the consultants on the ground have cancelled their clinics to do the best possible for the patients who are in hospital today and who are coming into hospital today. But we have to cause some disruption otherwise no-one would take notice

"We're doing it for future generations of doctors as well" she insisted "I know he's promised pay protection for us but for new junior doctors coming in the deal's not great. It's a profession that takes a lot of hard work and dedication and I think it should be rewarded accordingly."

Around the country, the junior doctors are being backed by everyone from author JK Rowling, to Green Party Leader, Natalie Bennett, who joined a picket line outside Barnet General Hospital and didn't mince her words...

"The Government is playing with fire with its bullying, disrespectful attitude towards the junior doctors" she said "There is a global shortage of medical professionals and almost everyone I have spoken to on the doctors' picket lines knows a colleague who has already emigrated. Many more are considering it.

"Our talented healthcare professionals are a national asset who are being driven away by this Government" she added "We need to value, support and listen to our junior doctors. Instead, ministers are failing to address doctors' serious concerns surrounding safe working conditions, and aren't offering proper recognition for those working unsocial hours. The Government must...put forward the offer of a contract that is fair and works for staff and patients alike. Until then we'll continue to stand in solidarity with the junior doctors as they fight for what's right."

Meanwhile, the Labour Party's Shadow Health Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said the Government could have avoided the strike... 

"The sad truth is that it didn't have to come to this" she explained "Jeremy Hunt's handling of these negotiations has been a complete and utter shambles. His comments over the past few weeks and months have caused widespread anger among junior doctors and left staff morale at rock bottom. We urgently need to see a resolution to this dispute, which doesn't involve imposing a new contract. Jeremy Hunt needs to stop hiding behind his desk in the Department of Health and get back round the negotiating table."

Back in Salford, members of Salford City UNISON, Salford Against The Cuts and the Labour Party joined the striking doctors today, while the amount of tooting horns by passing cars, buses and lorries yet again demonstrated the huge public support...

"The support has been incredible" said Hannah "All the patients I have spoken to are in support of us and I don't think I've come across anybody who doesn't support the strike once they know all the details.

"There's a lot of the general public who still don't know" she added "I don't think the mainstream media has done a very good job; for example the BBC has fallen short of its responsibilities in terms of informing the general public about what exactly the dispute is about. But I think we're gaining ground and, hopefully, another strike will be averted and Jeremy Hunt will start becoming reasonable again..."