Doctors' on Strike?

Just under a year ago I, like many newly qualified doctors around the country, swore an oath which amongst other things stated I should make ‘the health and life of my patient my first consideration’ and ‘maintain by all means in my power, the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession’. As a medical professional I am deeply saddened to find that roughly ninety percent of my colleagues have voted in favour of entirely unprofessional industrial action that betrays both of those aims.

At a time when the country is struggling to balance the books and many find themselves unable to find work it seems incredulously short sighted and self-indulgent for doctors to vote in favour of industrial action for a pension package that is only slightly less excellent than its predecessor. Indeed, it is rather hypocritical of the medical profession to scoff at the consequences of its own advice to the government with regard to an ageing population and the need for social care reform of which pensions are a key element.

I believe doctors are overworked and underpaid and when the economy is in better shape this is certainly a matter to bring robustly to the governments attention. However, I fear the current timing and topic for industrial action are likely to engender little sympathy with an already hard-pressed public. I for one shall not be going on strike on 21st June; I neither agree with the reason for striking nor do I agree with the premise that medical professionals should have the right to strike at all. Like those in the armed forces and the police we swear an oath for a reason; as professionals we put our vocation before our personal interests. In return we often receive the respect of those under our care, but in exchange we give up some luxuries; one of these luxuries is the right to strike.