A Nottingham-trained junior doctor posted a Facebook status about the planned five-day strikes which has got tens of thousands of people talking.
Holly O’Nione, who studied medicine at the University of Nottingham, attracted a wave of debate with her emotive thoughts on the action.
It comes after it was announced that junior doctors will strike for five days from September 12, and again in October, November and December.
The strike action is happening because the government is imposing a new contract with the British Medical Association (BMA) voicing concerns about pay and working conditions.
Holly’s post went viral over the weekend with nearly 28,000 shares, 22,000 likes and reactions and 1,400 comments.
Video: What Nottingham thinks of the strike action
A section of her post reads: “The strikes aren’t motivated by money, greed or laziness.
“Over the last five years, 50,000 of us who are on the front line day in and day out have become worried.
“My first ever job I had three doctors down, I routinely stayed late to ensure everyone was safe before we got home and this has become the norm but it’s increasingly unsafe.”
It’s the only thing we can do to prevent inevitable future harm
Holly also writes that she ‘doesn’t really want to strike.’
Her post reads: “I can’t afford it and I am concerned for patient safety but I think this is the only thing we can do to prevent the inevitable future harm.
“16,000 clinics and operations are likely to be cancelled, but 76,000 operations this year were cancelled purely due to underfunding this year; it’s that we need to stop.
“I will not stand for this reckless abuse the government and media hurl at us because if patients don’t trust us then we can’t treat them; without that trust, I am afraid.”
Holly’s full post can be seen below.
According to her Facebook profile, Ms O’Nione works at the Royal Hospital, Chesterfield.
The last time strike action took place was in April this year when more than 1,000 Nottingham patients were affected.
A full medical strike took place over two days where junior doctors provided no emergency care or appointments.
125,000 operations and treatments were postponed nationally in preparation for the two day period.
I understand the frustration many junior doctors feel
Speaking before the last time strike action took place and a new contract was imposed, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt read out a statement in the House of Commons.
He said: “I understand the frustration many junior doctors feel because of pressures on the NHS front line, they are not always to give patients the highest quality of care that they would like to.
“I understand that some doctors may disagree with the government over our seven day NHS plans and particularly the introduction of a new contract.
“I also understand that doctors work incredibly hard, including at weekends, and that strong feelings exist on the single remaining area of disagreement of substance; Saturday premium pay.”
