Resident Doctors: Industrial Action

Earl of Effingham Excerpts

Wednesday 16th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is certainly up to date as the report was published only this morning. If I am honest, asking such detailed questions at this stage is possibly slightly premature. We have committed to bringing in an implementation plan, which will be published in the autumn. The government-commissioned work has been very detailed. Professor Gillian Leng led the review, and the report sets out 18 recommendations that will give much-needed certainty and clarity to staff and patients. The Government are accepting these recommendations in full. By doing this, the Government have demonstrated their commitment to evidence-based policy informed by expert clinical advice, listening to patients and professionals.

I look forward to the implementation plan coming forward to make sure that we get some clarity. One of the most dangerous things is the lack of clarity that has surrounded these positions. The debate had, quite frankly, become polarised and in some cases toxic. That is not in anyone’s interest. Of course, there will be conversations between all interested parties following the report’s publication today and I look forward to discussions. I am sure it will come back to this place at the appropriate time.

[The Earl of Effingham (Con)]

My Lords, the Secretary of State said that resident doctors

“should start to experience an improvement in their working conditions on everything from the availability of nutritious food and drink”—[Official Report, Commons, 10/7/25; col. 1150.]

to other items. I would be interested to know: how exactly are the Government intending to achieve nutritious food and drink for these resident doctors?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I do not want to take that lightly, but resident doctors work extraordinary hours and put themselves on the line every time they go into work. Making sure that their employers provide them with the support they need is a fundamental job that they should all do, and I suspect that in some cases that has not been the case. There are so many other ways that all medical staff need supporting. Unfortunately, many medical staff meet violence in the workplace and meet discrimination and all sorts of challenges, and they need to feel that they have support. Making sure that they have access to nutritious food is fundamental and important, and I think we all know, looking back over the last decade, that the conditions that we have expected those wonderful professionals to work in have simply not been good enough. We will do everything we can to ensure that whatever aspect is causing concern is picked up and taken very seriously.