Strike ‘last resort’ for Worthing doctors

The doctors, who are also planning to strike on December 1, 8 and 16, said the new contract will be ‘dangerous’ for the patients they care for as well as resulting in ‘longer, more antisocial working hours and reduced pay for many junior doctors’.

A spokeswoman for Worthing Hospital Junior Doctors’ Mess said: “Participation in industrial action is an absolute last resort for us and, unfortunately, the only option we have been left with after the Government has refused to enter into meaningful negotiation with our appointed representatives, the British Medical Association (BMA).

“A small positive step has been made over the past few days by the Government’s eventual agreement to enter into negotiations mediated by ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), but currently the threat of this contract is still present and we remain deeply concerned.”

The group said the care of patients is their ‘foremost concern;, adding they are working ‘full cooperation’ with the hospital’s management team.

A spokeswoman added: “Although striking represents a short-term disruption to services, the longer-term picture of what our healthcare service will look life if the changes proposed by the Government go through are much more worrying and represent a real threat to our NHS.

“Further strikes are also currently organised for the 8th and 16th December which will go ahead if the government continues to threaten

to impose this contract.