Doctors say strikes let them spend time with their friends

MILITANT junior doctors boast that strikes which crippled NHS services across Britain allowed them to spend time hanging out with mates.

Dr Emma Runswick said 18-months of industrial action gave them “respite” from being overworked.

Dr Emma Runswick Deputy Chair of BMA
Dr Emma Runswick Deputy Chair of BMACredit: www.bma.org.uk
Junior doctors gather to protest outside Downing Street in August 2023
Junior doctors gather to protest outside Downing Street in August 2023Credit: EPA
A doctor holds a message for former Health Secretary Steve Barclay
A doctor holds a message for former Health Secretary Steve BarclayCredit: Alamy

The Deputy Chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) council stated that doctors use strike action as a means of respite from overwork and as an opportunity to reconnect with friends due to the usual separation caused by their work rota. She emphasized that strikes are not only a break but also an effective tool to bring about change.

In addition to these insights, she threatened to go on strike for increased pay, disregarding the recent 22% pay rise granted by the new Labour government. Junior doctors were also given a new designation of “resident doctors” as part of the changes.

“We are raring for action if governments do not continue a path to pay restoration,” Dr Runswick wrote in a report on strikes this month.

Shadow Health Secretary Ed Argar condemned the resident doctors’ strikes, highlighting the detrimental impact they had on the health service and how they left thousands of patients without necessary care.

“So this commentary will be seen by many as another slap in the face of the public, as well as raise real concerns for the prospect of future strikes.

“But this is a mess of Labour’s making. When they handed over an inflation busting 22 per cent with no strings attached they made it clear that striking pays, and it seems they are about to learn their lesson.”

Junior doctors and members of the British Medical Association (BMA) on the picket line outside Leicester Royal Infirmary, 2023.
Junior doctors and members of the British Medical Association (BMA) on the picket line outside Leicester Royal Infirmary, 2023.Credit: PA
BMA picket outside University College Hospital as junior doctors strike over pay
BMA picket outside University College Hospital as junior doctors strike over payCredit: Alamy

NHS strikes cost the taxpayer almost £1.7 billion and over 1.5 million appointments were cancelled.

In her essay, Dr Runswick said the BMA was now like the “radical” RMT union which crippled the country’s rail system with walkouts.

And she hinted at co-ordinated strikes with other unions: “Some BMA members are turning to work with other unions, but fundamentally other workers and their unions must respond to the gauntlet thrown down.

“Radical, successful trade union wins are possible with clear political direction and organisation.”

A BMA spokesperson said: “Strike action should never have been necessary but was made so by the inaction of the previous Government.

“There is no need for future strikes if in 2025 the Government continues along the journey to pay restoration it started this year. If it fails to do so, it knows it will be back on a collision course with doctors who have seen their pay cut so aggressively since 2008.

“Rotas in the NHS frequently prevent doctors spending time with their friends and for many doctors strike action will have been a rare opportunity to stand alongside colleagues they rarely get to see.”

You May Also Like

“Tragic Discovery: Fourth US Soldier Found Deceased After Tank Mishap in Lithuania”

A FOURTH US soldier’s body has been found after a NATO drill…

Virginia Giuffre shares new details about car crash after mistakenly posting Instagram claim about limited time left to live

Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre has said she mistakenly posted the claim…

MPs informed of judges being only notified about delayed sentencing guidelines two hours after hearings had already commenced

The ‘two-tier justice’ row descended into farce today as it emerged judges…

“Melania Trump’s Powerful Message: Finding Strength in Love during Difficult Times”

Melania Trump revealed on Tuesday that ‘love’ has helped her during challenging…

King Charles shares laughs and banter with friend Alan Titchmarsh while resuming royal duties and awarding honours following hospitalization

King Charles recently resumed his public duties after a brief hospitalization due…

British Couple Found Dead in New Zealand Home After Family Alerts Police

A BRITISH couple have been found dead at home in New Zealand,…

Concerned friends share the mysterious disappearance of missing British man Jason Taylor at the airport while returning from a stag party in Benidorm

CONCERNED pals have revealed details about how missing Brit Jason Taylor vanished…

Karen Read: Selection of Jury Begins for Trial of Woman Accused of Murdering Veteran Police Officer

The retrial of Karen Read, a Massachusetts woman accused of killing her…

Meghan Markle announces release date for her raspberry jam and exudes hope that it will enable others to replicate the charm of Montecito

Meghan Markle has shared that her raspberry jam will be available for…

“Inappropriate Relationship: Teacher Accused of Sexual Misconduct with Underage Student”

A TWISTED special education teacher allegedly bombarded a 15-year-old schoolboy with 25,000…

Ancient buried pyramid discovered by chance after 2000 years, filled with treasures – and its purpose remains a mystery.

A HIDDEN pyramid buried for 2,200 years has been unearthed alongside hoards…

Terrifying Incident: 7-year-old girl thrown by intense electric shock in shower of sparks when she touched live wire

THIS is the horrific moment a girl is electrocuted in a massive…