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Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association commented on the first day of industrial action by junior doctors

“It is extremely regrettable that despite weeks of negotiations, no agreement has been found to prevent industrial action by junior doctors taking place. Achieving a solution for the benefit of patients should have been the priority for the Department of Health and the British Medical Association (BMA) from the outset. This decision will cause a great deal of distress for many patients, who continue to be caught in the middle of this dispute. 

The Patients Association is particularly concerned about the impact that industrial action will have on patients. At a time when hospitals are struggling to cope with patient demand, the cancellation of operations and appointments will increase pressures across NHS services that are already stretched to breaking point. 

We know that junior doctors have not taken this decision lightly. Staff morale is low throughout the NHS and many doctors are feeling burnt out. Any new contract must offer terms that are fair for doctors and protect them. Junior doctors are the backbone of the NHS, and it is vital that they are able to provide the safe and effective care that patients need

Whilst action could not be averted today, the Patients Association urge both sides to continue discussions in order to avoid further disruption from additional strike action in the coming weeks. Every day that a compromise cannot be reached, more operations and appointments are going to be cancelled. Both sides must remember that their first concern must always be patients, who deserve much better than this.” 

Notes to Editors: 

The Patients Association is an independent national health and social care charity established over 52 years ago, which has a long history of campaigning to ensure that the voice of patients is heard within the UK Health and Social care system. 

For further information please contact Matthew Tisi, Communications & Public Affairs Officer, at the Patients Association on 020 8423 9111, or email matthew@patients-association.com

Visit our website at www.patients-association.org.uk