The doctors' strike, and my thoughts on it
Jun. 5th, 2012 10:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
forest_roseIf you hadn't heard, UK doctors are striking on June 21st. This is an action encouraged by the BMA, our union (who also do things like education, they're a strange organisation really!) because of the changes to the NHS pensions. Basically, the proposed changes will have us working longer, for less.
During the strike, emergency care will still be provided, but routine medical appointments won't take place, and non-urgent care won't be given.
I voted against the strike, but apparently am in the minority, as the vote passed that it should go ahead. I'm not at all comfortable with the idea of striking as a doctor. After all, a year ago I stood up in front of my family and colleagues and took an oath that "I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient", and "The health and life of my patient will be my first consideration". The health and life of my patient, not my pension. I don't make a distinction, really, between a patient who needs help for an ongoing condition and a patient presenting in an emergency. Yes, we have to prioritise, and I do that every day, but both patients are entitled to the best care I can give them. Maybe I'm idealistic, but I stood up there and said "I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity", and that's what I intend to continue to do.
That said, the strike conveniently falls in the middle of annual leave which I booked months ago. I'm pretty glad about that - I don't know if my department is striking, but I would have had to find somewhere at work that wanted me if they were! My principles are all very well, but I can't run a dermatology clinic on my own. My consultations would consist of 'Um, put some steroid cream on it?' and really hoping that nobody needed a biopsy.
Anyway, that's my rambly thoughts on the current politics in the NHS.
During the strike, emergency care will still be provided, but routine medical appointments won't take place, and non-urgent care won't be given.
I voted against the strike, but apparently am in the minority, as the vote passed that it should go ahead. I'm not at all comfortable with the idea of striking as a doctor. After all, a year ago I stood up in front of my family and colleagues and took an oath that "I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient", and "The health and life of my patient will be my first consideration". The health and life of my patient, not my pension. I don't make a distinction, really, between a patient who needs help for an ongoing condition and a patient presenting in an emergency. Yes, we have to prioritise, and I do that every day, but both patients are entitled to the best care I can give them. Maybe I'm idealistic, but I stood up there and said "I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity", and that's what I intend to continue to do.
That said, the strike conveniently falls in the middle of annual leave which I booked months ago. I'm pretty glad about that - I don't know if my department is striking, but I would have had to find somewhere at work that wanted me if they were! My principles are all very well, but I can't run a dermatology clinic on my own. My consultations would consist of 'Um, put some steroid cream on it?' and really hoping that nobody needed a biopsy.
Anyway, that's my rambly thoughts on the current politics in the NHS.
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(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-06 06:21 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-06 10:37 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-07 05:32 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-06 10:00 am (UTC)I'm not in the BMA, and I'm on mat leave so again I'm not compelled to make a decision. I do feel we're getting the shaft, though - not because of the increased contributions and lousier deal, but because we're expected to pay 15% plus towards the pension, while civil servants on the sane are paying 7%. Lansley's got no answer for that one.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-06 10:37 am (UTC)As for dermatology - don't forget the peering closely, the nodding wisely and the assigning of long Greek or Latin names to things! I do get to do a lot of chopping, though, and freezing of things with the liquid nitrogen spray :-) xx
(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-06 10:55 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-06 11:22 pm (UTC)None. Refer to medics: darkness ?cause :-) xx
(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-07 08:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-06 02:56 pm (UTC)However, there is another consideration. To belong to a union is to join in a voice of solidarity. That's the premise behind how they operate. You gain the benefits of a union that will fight for your rights. In return you have to acknowledge democratic decisions. Unlike governmental democracy, where after you've voted you get no more say, with a union you do get to opt out of things like strikes. You aren't forced to do it. But if other doctors in the same position as yourself have made a majority decision to strike, it seems to me that you have to have a fairly unique situation to decide to go in anyway.
That said, enjoy your holidays and don't worry too much about it.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-06-06 09:13 pm (UTC)Personally - I've never held much truck with the idea of unions. That's probably because I've always had the luxury of being able to pick and choose from multiple options for plying my trade.