Consultants show solidarity with juniors

  Since the beginning of the dispute over junior contracts last autumn, doctors from across the profession have continued to show their support and solidarity. Consultants, along with their colleagues in general practice and the staff, associate specialist and specialty doctor grades, have consistently backed their junior colleagues in their bid to make the Government listen to concerns over a potential new contract. With the start of 48 hours of action yesterday, consultants found themselves stepping up to fill in for those out on the picket lines (pictured), with a number giving their take on the day. Consultant gastroenterologist Helen Fidler, who works at Lewisham Hospital, London, said that she had been out to see the picket lines at around 8.30am yesterday, adding that there were between 20 and 30 people there in support. She said that consultants at her hospital had sought to maintain standards of care and safety throughout the day, adding that the sense of solidarity with junior doctors was as strong as ever. Dr Fidler said: ‘As far as patient care has gone it has been as safe as when junior doctors are on the ward. ‘People are aware that this [contract situation] is not something that is going to be solved quickly, and they have hunkered down for the long haul.’ Despite this, Dr Fidler said that there was no doubt that junior doctors were taking action because they understood the severity of the situation facing them, and felt they had little o...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news