Have you been to hospital lately ? Or has anyone you know been to hospital ?
If so, the chances are that you were seen by a junior doctor, and the odds are that you got excellent service.
I don't know about you, but I like the people who have my life in their hands to be alert, happy, stress-free, and not at the end of a 90 hour week.
They are paid a lot of money, and in my view deserve every penny. And the same goes for all the other NHS staff who do such a great job in spite of constant re-organisations and government interference.
The NHS helps us all. Sooner or later, the large majority of us will need to get help from the NHS and its staff.
The government are determined to defeat the doctors, much as a previous government was set on defeating the miners. The big difference is that doctors may be a lot more able and willing to emigrate to find places where they are valued and looked after.
The government is not in listening mode. It is in 'smack of firm government' mode. So far it has not listened to the junior doctors, it has not listened to common sense, and it is not listening to public opinion.
Luckily, there is a rare opportunity on 23rd June to have the government listen to our views.
After the referendum, half of us are going to feel suicidal or at least in possible need of medical support. So why not make a real difference with your vote on something that matters at least as much as Europe ?
I think everyone who supports the doctors should use their ballot to say so. Ignore the question on the paper, and write, in an undoctorly legible hand "I support the junior doctors".
The government, desperate for every vote on Europe, might worry about this strategy. If sufficient millions make it a credible threat, I think there might be a sudden unwonted willingness to get the doctors dispute settled fairly.
Come on. We can do it. It starts here. Use your ballot to some good effect.
The question here is will you the blog writer be voting.
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