Junior doctors have begun a two-day, all-out strike, in which even emergency cover is being withdrawn.
In a dramatic escalation of their protest against the new contract that the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, plans to impose, junior doctors in England are staging the first all-out strikes on 26 and 27 April.
Unlike the four walkouts they have held since January, they will not report for duty even in medical settings that provide critical care, such as A&E, emergency surgery and maternity.
Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, the national medical director of NHS England, has labelled the action reckless, unethical, a breach of the medical profession’s fundamental duty to “do no harm” and a move that will destroy the public’s trust in doctors.
The British Medical Association reassured patients that care will be safe on strike days because consultants will undertake junior colleagues’ roles.
What do you think?
We want to hear from healthcare professionals about what they are doing on strike days. Junior doctors, how do you feel about an all-out strike? What are the consequences for patient care? What measures have you taken to ensure your presence won’t be missed?
We would also like to hear from others who are working on strike days – for example, consultants, nurses, healthcare assistants, GPs, porters and administration staff. How are you coping? How do you feel about junior doctors carrying out an all-out strike?
Share your views and experiences by filling in the form below. We will use a selection in our reporting.
