News / Strike
Junior doctors join picket line at BRI to begin 11th strike
Fluorescent orange hats were in full force at the BRI on Thursday morning as striking junior doctors returned to the picket line.
People took to the site outside the hospital on Upper Maudlin Street in pursuit of a 35 per cent pay rise to act as “full pay restoration” for the 26.2 per cent fall in the value of their incomes they have seen since 2008-09.
The industrial action, set to end on Tuesday, is the 11th walkout from members of the British Medical Association (BMA).
is needed now More than ever
Fareed Al Qusous strolled up and down the picket line leading chants calling for fair pay while passing drivers beeped their horns in solidarity.
NHS bosses have criticised the timing of the latest action in the week running up to a general election.
Junior doctors out in force at the BRI this morning as they begin their 11th bout of strike action in pursuit of a 35 per cent pay rise to act as “full pay restoration” pic.twitter.com/MxnHK4WFrt
— Betty Woolerton (@bettywoolerton) June 27, 2024
Al Qusous, who is a second-year foundation doctor who works in Swindon, told Bristol24/7 the government has “abdicated their responsibility to resolve the dispute”.
“It’s been 20 months now yet we haven’t achieved any resolution. All we’re asking for is for someone who goes through five years of medical school and takes on £100,000 of debt to go from £15 pounds an hour to be paid roughly £20 an hour.
He highlighted issues in patient waiting times and staff retention, believing pay restoration will will help keep doctors in the profession in the UK.
Al Qusous added: “We would much rather be in the wards treating patients. But we are seeing a mass exodus of doctors leaving for Australia, New Zealand and Canada and something needs to change.”
Junior doctor Sam Scholey said: “It is time for resolutions”
Sam Scholey, who lives in Bristol and works as a doctor at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, said he felt “mentally exhausted” from his job.
“It’s a difficult job anyway but I see the system letting patients down every day, and the moral injury of that is quite severe.
Carla Denyer, who hopes to become the city’s first Green MP, spoke to striking junior doctors outside the BRI
Green Party co-leader and Bristol Central candidate Carla Denyer also joined the strikes to “stand in solidarity” with those on the picket line.
She said: “Greens believe passionately in the NHS. We are the only party being honest with the public that it’s going to cost money to nurse the NHS back to health after 14 years of Conservative damage.
Denyer went on: “Labour has simply abandoned its responsibility and is opening the door to ever greater privatisation.
“We need a different approach that attracts and keeps staff who are dedicated to a publicly-owned, publicly-funded NHS, free at the point of use.”
BMA junior doctors are on strike for the 11th time over pay
NHS England expects the “widespread disruption to care” over the next five days to be worse than before because heat-related health problems are adding to the strain on many services.
“This new round of strike action will again hit the NHS very hard,” said Stephen Powis, its national medical director.
Junior doctors are picketing hospitals across England, including in Bristol, London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Liverpool.
They will stage a rally outside Downing Street in the afternoon.
All of the candidates on the ballot paper for Bristol Central are due to take part in Bristol24/7’s hustings at the Bristol Beacon on Monday, July 1. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed via the Bristol24/7 YouTube channel from 7pm. If you want to ask a question, please email editor@bristol247.com
All photos & video: Betty Woolerton
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