Today marks the first in a trio of planned union action by
Junior Doctors over changes to their contractual terms and
conditions. It is the first large-scale instance of strike action
by medics since 1975 and will affect thousands of patients as
routine services and appointments are cancelled, with care
restricted only to emergency services.
The media has reported on the crisis at length with experts and
opinion being published from both sides of the picket line.
So what is this argument all about?
The Government's position is that a new type of contract for
Junior Doctors is necessary in order to modernise the medics'
contract and facilitate the creation of a fully operational
seven-days-a-week NHS service. The proposals include changes to the
working hours and remuneration which will likely result in Juniors
working more frequent weekends, which, under the existing contract,
they would normally have been paid extra for. Other issues involve
the removal of
