Readers on the poor pay and working conditions that have led junior doctors down the path of strikes
The government needs to be more proactive in relation to the crisis happening in our healthcare system (NHS bosses urge Steve Barclay to accept Acas role in dispute with junior doctors, 12 April). Junior doctors are instrumental to fixing the crisis. They progress to being the leaders of services and systems in the future, and at present recognise the disparity between themselves and other equivalent professional salaries and work-life experiences. They carry much debt (funding five or six university years), and there is no doubt that pay has been eroded. The job is also harder, carries more risk and is often less professionally satisfying than 10 years ago. Is this reflective of current government ideology, or poor central decision-making?
I suggest that consultants are adequately remunerated, but the junior tiers are not, and the current situation is highly detrimental to the future of healthcare.
Dr Sara Motion
NHS paediatric consultant
