Resident (Junior) Doctors vote to strike

It's interesting that older doctors are not supporting this. Listening to Jeremy Vine today a critic was pointing out to a militant young doctor that a) they knew what the pay was like when they started and b) their pensions were far more generous than those in the private sector.
Everybody's pay has fallen behind.

pably15

I agree dogsmother , and with the above poster Nanna 8....someone will jump down my throat for this but..footballers earn huge salaries for playing a game,how can anyone compare them to doctors who have done at least 5 years training, to save lives

A footballer has 10-15 years to earn good money if they are lucky.

The minute their game is off the boil or they are injured it’s game over.

Doctors carry on working into their 70’s

To be fair one of my doctors told me that many doctors have to take early retirement because of stress. Having said that, much as I supported the doctors last year and felt that a case could be made for the pay rise they had I’m angry with them this time given that everyone is struggling financially.

It can lead to others feeling they aren't being paid enough and starts the strike problems we faced recently over again.

The BMA has increasingly become more militant over recent years. I know of two doctors who no longer pay membership subscriptions to them because they are not happy with their activist stance. I can’t recall which medical union they then signed up with.

It will release some of my frustration PoliticsNerd.

Footballers, pop singers and other high pay / short career jobs aren't comparable. Nurses, other healthcare professionals, teachers, social workers and others are. Doctors are not more important than any of these and shouldn't think they are. That's what leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Their starting salaries are higher than the others and their pensions better.

I agree winterwhite and just hope the government is strong enough to stand up to them.

I’m afraid I have some cognitive dissonance on the issue of this strike.

On one hand I believe that doctors deserve to be paid more than they currently are.

On the other hand I believe that, if the BMA makes this into a battle with the government (and the public), they force Labour into a very difficult position, and run the risk of ‘pushing’ people into the arms of Reform UK, which would mean the death of the NHS as we know it. Surely the BMA understands this.

For the first time in 15 years we have a government that genuinely believes in the NHS. The BMA could potentially be throwing them to the wall.

So, I’ve truly got two views in my head at the same time. Uncomfortable!

Bet most of us just knew the BMA would be agitating for more again this year. Hardly any of us are surprised….

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Bet most of us just knew the BMA would be agitating for more again this year. Hardly any of us are surprised….

Of course.

The BMA has become far more militant in recent years since more confrontational leaders took over.
Doctors were always respected but, with this attitude, they will lose goodwill.

It was the BMA that restricted training places for medical students.

I don’t think the doctors will carry the public along with them this time.

Aveline

It was the BMA that restricted training places for medical students.

When the Government restricted speciality training places for Junior Doctors in 2008, in order to prevent overseas students taking up too many places, it resulted in an exodus of young British doctors overseas as they couldn't get on to training programmes.

Yes, I read about that too Aveline. Are there not enough tutors? Why restrict numbers of desperately needed medics? It doesn’t make sense. 🤷‍♀️

Resident doctors pretty much ARE the BMA now.

After months of negotiations with the Tories, the doctors got pretty much what they wanted as soon as Labour was elected. They probably see them as a soft touch and might as well try their luck.

They have been employing more highly qualified doctors from overseas, rather than training the doctors who have graduated in the UK. After the initial F1 F2 years (after 5 years of university) young doctors have found it very hard to get further training in their chosen specialism. The UK is the only country in the world that does not prioritise its own students. Wes Streeting is trying to change this; it was a policy of the last government.

I totally agree with both parts of your view LizzieDrip and I bet we're not alone. However, I do see it as two parts, not two separate views.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Bet most of us just knew the BMA would be agitating for more again this year. Hardly any of us are surprised….

Wouldn't you be either looking for your pay to be increased or another job FGT, if you were grossly underpaid?

Mamie

They have been employing more highly qualified doctors from overseas, rather than training the doctors who have graduated in the UK. After the initial F1 F2 years (after 5 years of university) young doctors have found it very hard to get further training in their chosen specialism. The UK is the only country in the world that does not prioritise its own students. Wes Streeting is trying to change this; it was a policy of the last government.

It didn't work in 2008.

He needs to take a totally different approach.

PoliticsNerd

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Bet most of us just knew the BMA would be agitating for more again this year. Hardly any of us are surprised….

Wouldn't you be either looking for your pay to be increased or another job FGT, if you were grossly underpaid?

grossly underpaid

Please could you post pay scales, overtime and unsocial hours pay and define what you mean by that, please?

Allira

Mamie

They have been employing more highly qualified doctors from overseas, rather than training the doctors who have graduated in the UK. After the initial F1 F2 years (after 5 years of university) young doctors have found it very hard to get further training in their chosen specialism. The UK is the only country in the world that does not prioritise its own students. Wes Streeting is trying to change this; it was a policy of the last government.

It didn't work in 2008.

He needs to take a totally different approach.

Sorry Allira, what didn't work in 2008?

So where will the money they want actually come from?

No. If you disagree find the figures and the comparisons elsewhere and prove you are right. It is not my job to do it for you Allira.

I think the problem with many of the older generation is we get more and more out of touch with salaries here and overseas, the longer we are not in that world. It happens to us all as we get further away from working life. That's why some of us check the market for those filling these jobs before we post.