In their own words: Junior doctors on strike, the ones who worked and the medical student without any teachers

I’m a BMA member who supports the strike but I’m not on strike personally because I’m covering the intensive care unit on call.

I'm really proud seeing so many people on the picket, rallying together and supporting each other through this difficult process. I'm grateful to the public, friends and family for recognising our plight and giving us the encouragement in helping us fight this dangerous proposal. Jeremy may have his spin doctors but we have our hearts and our morality. We want our patients to be safe. We want our NHS to remain the best it can be. We must not let the contract go through.

Sarah el-Sheikha

I've actually been in hospital on call today as I was providing the emergency cover as the on-call medical Senior House Officer in cardiology. The thing I think is most important is that the patients in hospital during the strike have had excellent care - we had consultants on all wards ensuring that no patients coming in to hospital has been at any increased risk whatsoever.

We go on strike with a heavy hearts and a significant amount of self-doubt but the simple truth is that Jeremy Hunt's contract is an ongoing danger to future patients and the future of the NHS that must be fought. The support from patients, Consultants and other medical staff today has been overwhelming, but we must continue to fight what is an ongoing threat to the future of free and equitable medical care in this country.

Jack Stewart

I am a junior doctor who took part in the strike. However, I did so in a slightly different way to most others whom the public may have seen on TV. I was rostered to provide emergency care for the wards of my hospital; indeed (as advocated by the BMA) that is exactly where I worked uninterrupted between 8am and 9pm.

As much as I would have appreciated joining those who were picketing, patient safety comes first. This is most certainly the primary principle in the hearts and minds of every one of my colleagues who participates in this industrial action.

Jamie Lewis

I’m an orthopaedic registrar, and I was one of thousands of ‘junior doctors’ striking yesterday. Since graduating over 12 years ago I have spent time training abroad, obtained a PhD and been lucky enough to get married and have a wonderful daughter.

My fundamental problem with the government’s current bullying approach of a unilateral contract imposition is that it is not compatible with a safe or sustainable health service in the long term. I went on strike, with a heavy heart, for the following reasons: rather than addressing the, already significant, recruitment and retention crises in the NHS today which sees numerous rotas dangerously understaffed, the government’s proposed contract imposes more antisocial hours for no extra reward which will make things even worse.

Behind the obfuscating smoke and mirrors, including weekend mortality and the as yet undefined ‘7 day NHS’, the government are hiding a disaster in the making, a contract which will destroy morale and goodwill, thus creating a ‘perfect workforce storm’. This is why I am striking; the proposed contract is incompatible with a safe sustainable health service. A government which does not listen to and value its staff clearly does not value patients; they must therefore be forced to listen and I will continue until they do.

Ben Dean

The government have gone about this all the wrong way. Imposition drives a feeling of disregard for those employed. For years the NHS has been at the brink of collapse, yet staff have struggled on with little praise for their efforts. The contracts need revision, I think most could accept that but the government needs to work with us to create a contract that is safe and fair for all. The NHS cannot function if it alienates and pushes doctors away.

Most doctors do not disagree with the fundamental idea of a truly 7-day NHS, but this comes with a caveat. The NHS must find the money to not only employ more doctors, so that the existing workforce if not stretched ever further, but for more porters, radiographers, physiotherapists, and an increase in all other healthcare professionals to create a system that is as effective for elective care on weekends as it is on weekdays.

Doctors require downtime. The government argues that working week does not suit the model for modern business. Yet I have met few people that do not value weekends to see family, friends, go to wedding, make up for the time missed with children and loved ones. Yes, we understand and accept that we will have to work weekends and night. Yes, we know that people becoming unwell does not have a time of day. But while doctors work and others rest this should not be considered the norm and they should receive appropriate remuneration for their efforts. The NHS has one of the highest rates of sick-leave in the UK, take away regular working hours, rest time and the emotional support provided from those we see during these periods and the rates will only continue to rise.

Yusuf Ali Lalloo

I'm a "junior doctor" on strike today. That's five years at med school (40k debt), 2 years as a foundation doctor and 4 years more in A&E.

I have a wife and two children aged 6 and 3 to support. My wife doesn't work as her wages would be almost wiped out by childcare. We struggle to get by on current wages let alone a 30% pay cut with more unsociable hours. When would I see my children if I'm routinely working 60-70 hours a week for what would equate to £8 an hour?

How is a third off my total wages followed by an increase of 11% a pay rise?

If the government genuinely believes this new deal is a pay rise as they are saying, then they are completely financially illiterate and shouldn't be running the country.

If they don't really believe what they are saying then they are blatantly lying and shouldn't be running the country.

Matt Child

I am a final year medical student at a West Midlands university about to be the next batch of junior doctors and I'm not in hospital today as all doctors are striking and there's no one to teach us! Just thought I'd drop a comment as you may have had a lot of feedback from junior doctors but not from medical students. We also feel very strongly about the issue but have not been allowed to fully voice our concerns due to our universities worrying about their reputations.

Just one quick point I'd like to add which the media does not seem to be putting out is that the "3 year pay protection" being offered by Hunt is only for qualified doctors and my year will be the first year who will see the full brunt of the new contract and be much worse off than our colleagues in work right now. This will deter people from either entering undertaking a medical degree in the first place or leave straight after graduation. Some of my friends are already contemplating leaving straight after graduation, something that was unheard of until last year as they will not be GMC registered and will never be allowed to return back to the UK to practice [unless they obtain GMC registration on their arrival back]. This will be highly detrimental to the NHS and a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Waleed Chaudhry