Junior doctors hold indefinite Leeds protest
Junior doctors in Leeds have been telling Radio Aire why they're holding an "indefinite" protest outside the Department of Health building.
Junior doctors in Leeds have been telling Radio Aire why they're holding an "indefinite" protest outside the Department of Health building.
They'll have a constant presence there between 9am and 5pm as part of the ongoing dispute over changes to their contracts. It’s aimed at encouraging the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, to reopen talks with the BMA prior to forthcoming industrial action on 26-27th April.
Junior doctors will wait in protest outside the entrance to the Department of Health in Leeds for news that Mr Hunt has reconsidered his decision to impose a contract upon junior doctors and will instead return to negotiations with the BMA.
The protest is in solidarity with colleagues stationed outside the Department of Health, Richmond House in London. Dr Rachel Clarke and Dr Dagan Lonsdale, two grassroots junior doctors, commenced this ongoing peaceful protest in London last Wednesday 13th April 2016.
Every weekday from 9am to 5pm at least two grassroots doctors will be stationed outside the entrance to the Department of Health at Quarry House in Leeds waiting for Mr Hunt to realise that it is now time to talk - meaningfully. The protest will continue until these talks have restarted.
Dr Polly Dickerson, an ophthalmology registrar in West Yorkshire said:
“We are here to demonstrate that junior doctors are desperate to talk. Our first priority is a safe, caring NHS, that enables us to take care of our patients. The contract that the government is imposing will put that at risk”
Dr Chris Marshall, a respiratory medicine registrar in West Yorkshire stated:
“We are forced to stand up and protect our patients and the NHS against the imposition of an Un-evidenced, Unfunded, and Unsafe contract. I believe the imposition of this unsafe and unfair contract will lead to deteriorating care, lower staffing and worsening outcomes for patients nationally. I am scared it will lead to serious harm to my patients and the future of the NHS"