Are Resident Doctors Right To Strike Over Pay? | Letters

I wholly support nan resident doctors’ onslaught (Why nan NHS doctors’ strikes look group to continue, 14 October). I americium a retired advisor anaesthetist who worked successful nan NHS for 40 years. Throughout my career, I felt that I was wholly underpaid for my work.

As a inferior expert successful nan 1970s and up until my advisor assignment successful 1991, I was paid a pittance for moving excessive, unsafe hours – often 80 to 100 hours a week. Accommodation and catering were minimal. Overtime was paid astatine a overmuch little rate.

Historically, various governments person grounded to recognise our committedness to patients. We’re fundamentally inexpensive labour. I consciousness that we person been taken advantage of for decades, and it’s astir clip that this humanities maltreatment was recognised. A correct and up-to-date salary emergence would spell immoderate measurement towards recompense.

Goodwill and a existent vocation kept america going. Some of nan consequences will ne'er beryllium known aliases acknowledged by nan nationalist aliases nan various governments successful power. We mislaid a batch of bully group because of nan precocious unit and accent during this time. It won’t thief maine now, but I afloat backmost nan resident doctors.

After 40 years arsenic a doctor, and yet arsenic a elder consultant, my last year’s salary, earlier tax, was conscionable complete £101,000. A spot pathetic, don’t you think? And I didn’t do overmuch backstage believe – truthful small that it didn’t warrant nan time, effort and insurance. I tin wholeheartedly opportunity that my purpose was to make each my patients’ lives better, each day. Most days, I deliberation I did.
Elizabeth Taylor
Norton, South Yorkshire

As a paediatric NHS consultant, I would for illustration to authorities that I americium not a personnel of nan British Medical Association and would not see striking. I judge I person an highly well-paid occupation pinch a bully work-life balance, and I americium immensely grateful to beryllium capable to do nan occupation I do. Unfortunately, nary matter really galore of america resign from nan BMA, location doesn’t look to beryllium an replacement sound that is heard.
Dr Natasha de Vere
Wakefield, West Yorkshire