Pressure rises as doctors walk out

Photo: Anthony Miller

PICKET line . . . junior doctors and supporters outside the Royal Oldham Hospital this morning. Picture: ANTHONY MILLER

JUNIOR doctors began a 24-hour strike at the Royal Oldham Hospital today in protest over “unsafe and unfair” proposed changes to their contracts.

Talks to avert the industrial action failed and junior doctors launched the first of three days of action at 8am.

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust says thousands of operations, procedures and appointments have been cancelled or postponed. Emergency care, including A&E and emergency surgery, will be fully staffed and unaffected. The trust’s cancer services, maternity services and labour wards also remain unaffected.

Trust management will implement contingency plans if necessary so services can continue to be provided. Twenty four patients have been contacted directly to rearrange non-urgent operations.

Junior doctors have raised concerns about contractual safeguards on safe working and proper recognition for those working unsocial hours, as well as changes to the pay structure.

Dr Rory Hicks, a foundation year two doctor at the Royal Oldham Hospital, said: “We don't want to have to strike today but the Government have forced our hand. This is about making sure junior doctors are given a fair contact and that safeguards for patient safety are protected.

“We are completely sure that this action does not put any patient at risk at the hospital today but we have to make sure patients are also protected in the future.”