Green Party councillors and supporters in Cambridge have voiced strong support for resident doctors taking industrial action this week, with Green leader Councillor Elliot Tong joining BMA members on the picket line.
Resident doctors across England began a five-day strike at 7am on Friday 14 November after national pay negotiations failed to reach agreement. The action comes during what NHS leaders warn is already a “challenging winter period,” with services under pressure and flu cases expected to rise sharply in the coming weeks.
Councillor Tong said he stood with doctors who are campaigning for fair pay and safe working conditions. “I believe that every person living in the UK deserves to live a healthy and happy life, which is why well-run hospitals are so important,” he said.
“However, this rule applies to resident doctors, too. Although it’s a little frustrating that it’s more difficult to get a hospital appointment while strikes are going on, I don’t feel like doctors are obligated to keep me in good shape while they’re working for such long hours on such a meagre wage.
“If we want to receive a high standard of healthcare, we must support those that are providing it, expecting them to be paid accordingly.”
Local NHS leaders at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, the body responsible for commissioning and funding most local health services, have urged residents to continue using emergency care when needed and to attend appointments unless contacted directly. GP practices remain open as usual.
Dr Fiona Head, Executive Clinical Director of the Integrated Care Board, said services would “work under immense pressure” but stressed that emergency and life-saving care would continue throughout the strike period.
Cllr Tong, who represents Abbey ward, Cambridge, and regularly campaigns on inequality and access to public services, said supporting frontline workers was essential to ensuring a fair and functioning NHS for all.
