Junior doctors, should their wages be cut and hours be lengthened?
Junior doctors make up nearly 40% of nurses and doctors in
the country. They are paid exactly the same as nurses and doctors who have had
more experience but it is claimed mistakes made at hospitals can very often be
down to the junior doctors. This week in the news the government want to introduce
a new contract for the junior doctors stating that there will be 30% cuts and
all junior doctors will have to between 7am-10pm every day except Sunday. The
British Medical Association has said that they want to the new contract to be
fair to both junior doctors and the National Health Service. But why does a new
contract need to be reinforced? It is because the contract junior doctors are
on at the moment dates back to the 1980’s. The government and the BMA both need
to negotiate in order to come to an agreement but it is evident at the moment
this will not be likely and strikes and walk outs may be looming in the future
if this is not sorted.
I think this article is significant because many young
people are dreaming and striving to become doctors yet the gruelling work hours
that could be ahead and the low pay may steer them off their dreams, when of
course doctors and nurses are one of the most important occupations.
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