Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Junior doctors' strike: The Green Party stands in solidarity with NHS staff

Junior doctors' strike: The Green Party stands in solidarity with NHS staff
Green Party press release
For immediate release – 26 April 2016
Junior doctors' strike: The Green Party stands in solidarity with NHS staff
* Natalie Bennett: 'The government must change the way it treats our NHS’
* Larry Sanders: 'Junior doctors are heroes in the fight for a high quality NHS' 
Speaking ahead of the planned junior doctors' strike, Natalie Bennett, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said:
“It is sad that junior doctors have been forced to this point by the obstinate approach of the health secretary, whose flat-out refusal to drop his insistence on imposing a new contract has scuppered any possibility of meaningful talks with the British Medical Association.
“Industrial action is a last resort and I know from having spent time on the picket lines over recent months that junior doctors are taking this unprecedented action with a heavy heart.
“The government must change the way it treats our NHS and reopen negotiations with the junior doctors. A caring health secretary would negotiate with the junior doctors to produce an acceptable contract.
“Until then, I, and fellow Green Party members and supporters will continue to stand in solidarity with NHS staff as we fight for what’s right.”
Larry Sanders (1), the Green Party's Health and Social Care Spokesperson and the brother of US presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, added:
“The Green Party supports the junior doctors’ strike because the new contract, if imposed, would have disastrous effects on patients and the NHS.
“We are pleased that medical risks will be minimised by the back-up of senior doctors.
“The junior doctors are heroes in the fight for a high quality NHS. They do not want to strike; their pride is in their work.
“Jeremy Hunt is attempting to force a contract on them which puts patients at risk and reduces their pay. If he succeeds he will drive devoted doctors from the NHS. We already have too few doctors, nurses and hospital beds, with £22 billion of further cuts in the pipe line. A victory for Hunt would be an important step towards a profit-based NHS.”
ends
Notes 
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