Responding to the announcement that junior doctors in England plan to take further strike action in March and April, Prof Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and Dr Katherine Walesby, Chair of the RCPE's Trainees and Members' Committee, said:
“We fully understand why junior doctors have decided to take further strike action as a result of the junior contract being imposed against their wishes.
“Valuing the workforce is essential to high quality patient care and Prof Don Berwick has again highlighted this important aim. We hope the UK Government will take heed of his comments and find a way to resolve this dispute recognising the massive contribution that our junior doctors make in the NHS.
“The ongoing and unresolved situation has meant that a significant proportion of the workforce now feel demoralised and devalued.
“There is still an opportunity to resolve this dispute but the threat of imposition must be removed to enable further talks to take place.
“This is an incredibly difficult and stressful time for our junior doctors and their colleagues. We will continue to support them as they seek a solution that is in the best interests of this hardworking group of professionals and the safety of patients they serve.”
ENDS
Contact: Lisa Rooke, RCPE - 07717 895628 / l.rooke@rcpe.ac.uk
