Stroud Against the Cuts

"Junior Doctors across England will be commencing industrial action on Tuesday 12th January. We are opposing this government’s attempt to impose an unsafe new contract on the medical profession. It is our view that the proposed contract represents an existential danger to the NHS as an institution.

You may be aware that the BMA had initially suspended its planned industrial action at the start of December and returned to talks with the Department of Health. That decision was made in good faith. However, over the last few weeks, in the course of negotiations with Government we have encountered only intransigence. It is clear that the government perceives our contract issue as pivotal for its attempt to “reform” the NHS towards a neoliberal, commercialised system. It is therefore evident to us that we have no choice but to transform our 98% ballot mandate into action." 

The BMA currently plan to take action on the following dates:

• Tuesday 12 January 8am to 8am Wednesday 13 January - Emergency care only
• Tuesday 26th January 8am to 8am Thursday 28 January - Emergency care only
• 8am to 5pm Wednesday 10th February - Full withdrawal of labour

Dr Yannis Gourtsoyannis concludes his article by saying: "We are in no doubt that Osborne, Cameron and Hunt will use the proposed doctor’s contract as a tool for achieving the destruction of safe terms and conditions throughout the NHS and throughout the public sector. The Conservative Party is attempting to stretch the NHS into an ostensibly 7-day elective service whilst simultaneously launching the biggest assault on NHS resources in its history. The politics of austerity represents a clear and present danger to the nation’s health. A victory for the Junior Doctors would signify the first real crack in the entire edifice of austerity in the UK. Please stand with us. And when you need us, ask us. We will stand by you."

Stroud Against the Cuts encourages supporters to stop by local pickets to talk to those taking strike action and pass on messages of support and solidarity.

Picketing will be from 8am - 12noon at least, locally at:

Gloucester Royal Hospital (GRH)

Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH)

Members of SATC will attend the CGH. Get in touch with James Beecher on 07734 058789 if you would like to attend but wish to discuss sharing transport.

The following hospitals in the region will also hold pickets - in case these sites are easier for any of you to stop by on commutes/lunchbreaks:

Southmead Hospital (NBT, Bristol); University Hospitals Bristol (UHB, Bristol); Royal United Hospitals (RUH, Bath); Musgrove Park Hospital (Taunton); Yeovill Hospital (Yeovil); Weston General Hospital (WGH, Weston); Great Western Hospital (GWH, Swindon);

Meet the doctors events are being planned for the afternoon Bath, Swindon, Taunton, and in Bristol at: Millenium square fountains; Broadmead; Clifton triangle; Turbo island (Stokes croft); North street.

Check the Stroud Against the Cuts twitter account and the BMA twitter account on the day and the #junioraction tag for updates.

Two articles explaining the dispute:

1. "The connection between the junior doctors’ contract and the American corporate takeover of the NHS".

2: Six Reasons Junior Doctors Are Preparing to Strike.