Junior Doctors: Industrial Action

Mike Wood Excerpts
Monday 5th September 2016

(7 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Yes, I can absolutely confirm that. We have put in place pay protection to make that happen. My hon. Friend is right that this is very damaging for his constituents in Cheltenham. Given that there is so much pressure in the NHS, the junior doctors who are thinking of striking must ask themselves whether it is really going to help their organisation respond to those pressures if it has this enormous distraction—this incredible demoralisation that we get with these kinds of strikes.

Mike Wood Portrait Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)
- Hansard - -

Does my right hon. Friend share my disappointment that the BMA leader who co-authored the new contract and said that it was beneficial for our patients and for our junior doctors is now trying to whip up support for a series of strikes that every credible medical leader has said would be disproportionate and harmful to patients?

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am extremely disappointed and I hope that she reconsiders.