Junior Doctors vote No
Medical student Sophie Walton discusses the latest developments in the Junior Doctors’ contract dispute. Junior doctors in England have voted not to accept the contract negotiated earlier this year. 42% voted for, 58% voted against, on a 68% turnout. Dr Johan Malawana, chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) Junior Doctors’ Council, resigned when the […]
#JuniorDoctorsStrike: report on the strike and pictures from the picket lines
As junior doctors across Britain walk out for their second day of strikes, medical student Sophie Walton weighs up where the dispute is currently at. Thanks to rs21 supporters for sending in pictures. Junior doctors are on strike again today as they continue to fight against government plans to impose a new contract on them. Negotiations have moved on […]
Saturday is not the same as Tuesday: a update on the Junior Doctors’ Contract dispute
Next Wednesday (10 February), Junior Doctors will take another day’s strike action. Here, Sophie Walton gives an update on where things stand with the dispute. Where are we now? Junior doctors are set to strike once again as they continue to fight the imposition of a new contract that compromises on anti-social hours and […]
The secret life of the NHS
As junior doctors prepare to strike tomorrow, Sophie Walton uncovers the reality of a working life that has driven doctors to breaking point. The rs21 leaflet supporting the strike can be downloaded here It’s 8.00 am Monday morning, and we’re in the handover meeting. There are printed lists in the centre of a large, boardroom […]
Junior doctors vote for strike
Sophie W, a medical student in London, looks at what you can do to support the junior doctors strike 27,741 Junior doctors have voted to take strike action in the face on proposed contract changes. More than 76 % of the 37,155 junior doctors took part in the ballot, with 99.4 % saying they would […]
New deal for junior doctors: still #notfairnotsafe
Medical student Sophie W explains that the much trumpeted new offer to junior doctors still means a big pay cut and unsafe hours. Jeremy Hunt’s offer to junior doctors is spin, and doesn’t address the initial concerns about the fairness or safety of the contracts. The new offer includes: An 11 % pay rise on […]
Junior doctors’ contracts: not fair, not safe
Patient safety will be jeopardised by new contracts for junior doctors, argues Sophie W, a medical student, London. That’s why she will be demonstrating tomorrow (28 September) outside Methodist Central Hall in London. Junior doctors are to be balloted on industrial action, almost a year on from when union representatives walked out of contract negotiations […]
Doing politics differently: Beyond UKIP
In a country pub in Kent, “an occasion of pure love” celebrating diversity and unity sent a message to Nigel Farage that we will not take his hatred quietly. Sophie W spoke to a few of the Beyond UKIP Cabaret members about the event, and their thoughts on UKIP and political activism more generally. Why […]
A national NHS campaigners’ convention: A view from the inside
Sophie W, a medical student in rs21, interviews Joanna Adams from 999 Call for the NHS , a grassroots campaigning organisation, in advance of their national convention on Saturday 28 February. The NHS is in the midst of a deep crisis. While politicians and political parties talk of their visions for its future, health campaigners are […]