The upcoming five-day industrial action by resident doctors marks a renewed phase of strikes just a year after the last ones. While consultants had largely supported prior actions, there is now a reluctance rooted in feelings of futility and concern for patient safety. Residents face significant financial struggles, including heavy student debt and registration costs. Despite favorable public perception from prior strikes, consultant support for ongoing industrial action has diminished, revealing worries about the impact on patient care and professional trust.
Consultants were, by and large, supportive of the previous rounds of strikes. There is a recognition our residents have it harder than we did.
Most of us are worried about being seen as unsupportive; we know our residents talk to one another and we might get a reputation if we say what we really think.
Consultant support for this round of strikes is much lower than previously. We are mostly fed up at having to bend over backwards to support further strikes.
We are worried about the effect on patients, as well as the erosion of trust in the profession. Most of all, we worry about patient safety.
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