JUNIOR doctors from Southend Hospital have joined the latest 24 hour strike over pay and conditions.
Approximately 50 doctors waving placards have gathered outside the hospital in Prittlewell Chase to protest about the government’s new contract which will increase doctors’ basic pay by 11 percent, but end extra payments for working Saturdays.
Max Neun, 31, a junior doctor in Southend, said the changes would result in a loss of 30 or 40 percent in pay for the doctors through the changes to Saturday working.
He added: “Of course, nobody wants to strike. We are here for the patients and striking is like the last resort, but there is just no other way that the government will listen.”
Of the 200 junior doctors at Southend, 30 percent- approximately 65- are on call for A&E, though the rest have joined the picket line.
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