Lincolnshire junior doctors call for fairer wages as four-day strikes begin

Junior doctors across Lincolnshire claim the NHS is “haemorrhaging” doctors due to low pay as they resume strikes.

Staff with picket signs began the walkout at 7am outside Lincoln County Hospital, calling for fairer pay.

The four day strike was called after the government didn’t reach an agreement with unions.

The young professionals believe that their hourly rate of £14.09 is simply not enough amid the cost of living crisis.

The United Lincolnshire NHS Trust (ULHT) says the action has had a “significant impact” on their workforce and has led to thousands of appointments and operations being cancelled.

No resolution was found following the 72-hour stoppage by junior doctors last month and so they have been forced to carry on in the hopes of starting a discussion with hospital bosses.

Foundation year one doctor Becky Bates told The Lincolnite: “We are here because Steve Barclay [Secretary of State for Health and Social Care] is refusing to negotiate on restoring our pay.

“We have had a 26% pay cut since 2008 and we are looking to restore that because we do not believe that doctors are not worth a quarter less than what they were ten years ago.”

Foundation year one doctor Becky Bates | Photo: James Turner

She continued: “This is in the government’s hands, this is for them to come to the table properly in a way that they haven’t been for the last month.

“We don’t want to be on strike, we want to be caring for our patients. But we believe this is the best thing for the NHS going forward because we are haemorrhaging doctors at the moment and that’s not sustainable.”

Fellow foundation year one doctor Billy Finn added: “We are striking because £14 an hour is my actual hourly take home, that is not us being dramatic.

“When you look at the figures, that then represents a significant 35 per cent decrease since 2008. I don’t feel like I’m worth a quarter less than my colleagues were then. We do the same job and there is an argument that it is more difficult now and more complex.

“The frustrating thing is that there is not a real meaningful conversation being had yet, that’s all we’re here for but at the moment we’re not even getting that.

“I’d rather be in there, I’d rather be at work but instead this is what we have to do.”

Arlo the dog joins the picket line | Photo: James Turner

In response, a spokesperson for the ULHT said: “The current industrial action has had a significant impact on our workforce, and we have therefore taken the difficult decision to cancel a number of non-urgent appointments and operations.

“This is to ensure we have the right levels of staff so that we can provide the cost urgent care for the people of Lincolnshire.

“We are contacting all patients whose appointments we need to change and will work with them to re-book their appointments and operations for as soon as possible.

“If a patient has an appointment over the next few weeks and have not been told this has changed, it is important that they attend as usual.

“Our maternity and antenatal services will also be open. Our emergency departments remain open for those who need urgent and emergency care.”

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