We would like to convey the strength of support expressed by the consultants of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in the context of the ongoing junior doctor contract debate. The Royal Free values its “junior doctors” and recognises that they are an integral part of the NHS. An empowered, rested, happy and appropriately remunerated workforce across all cadres of medical, nursing and allied health professional staff is essential to sustain high clinical standards in the face of increasingly complex healthcare delivery challenges. We regret, yet clearly understand, that public protest and possible industrial action by doctors has become necessary to safeguard these basic requirements.
Junior doctors are dedicated to their patients and the NHS. They already work 24/7 rotas to deliver frontline care. We, as their supervisors, are responsible for both their training and wellbeing. We remain grateful for the work they do alongside us every day and night, very often beyond their contracted duties. 505 consultants in this trust have signed a letter supporting the decisions and actions they are compelled towards to secure a fair and safe junior doctor contract.
Protecting the health of the public – patients and personnel alike – remains the foremost objective of doctors. We therefore encourage Jeremy Hunt to urgently reconsider his stance and facilitate meaningful negotiations to resolve this avoidable impasse.
Dr James O’Beirne
Chair of the Consultants Staff Committee, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
• If a government minister will only negotiate with pre-conditions (Report, 13 November) as regards the main issues being disputed, then it is not an offer to negotiate at all – it is a demand for compliance with his wishes. Why has the junior doctor dispute not been referred to Acas?
Dr Richard Turner
Harrogate
• The prospect of an all-out strike by the BMA is probably relished by Hunt as capable of doing more damage to the public perception of the NHS than the Tory government has yet been able to inflict. In the words of the ancient proverb recorded by James Howell in the 17th century, “He that wrastleth with a turd shall be beshitten, fall he over or under.”
Simon Nicholls
London
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
