At time of writing (Sunday night), it seems the Industrial Action is likely to go ahead. After three days of hopeful silence, a @theBMA email late on Saturday afternoon from Mark Porter sounded a despondent note:
"... As you will appreciate, given the importance of these talks to junior doctors and patients, since Thursday, we have concentrated our effort on the talks, hoping that we may have positive news to communicate to you about the outcome. However, given the now almost inevitability that the action will need to proceed, I wanted to provide you with as full information as possible about our preparations for the action and how it may affect each of you..."
In point of fact, even if the strike was called off, the rescheduling preparations have already been made. At @ASPHFT in T&O alone, 450 patient episodes have been rearranged: that's operations and clinic appointments. It has been enormously encouraging to hear how our lovely patients have understood the situation and been accepting of the changes. Reversing them at short notice however is a completely different matter.
A question I've been asked a lot is 'can non-BMA members strike?'. Junior doctor rep Holly Ni Raghallaigh @unclehester has some useful thoughts at this time:
"... I think if I was a doctor who was not a BMA member, and who had not been balloted, but who wanted to take part in IA – I would phone the BMA today to ask about joining the BMA today and asking then if they become a fully fledged member by the time of the first/second/third strike (planned) days - if they will then be authorised to take part and thus protected. I would feel slightly exposed taking part in IA if I was not a union member..."
I am immensely proud of our management in T&O Cathy Parsons @CParsons007 and Jason Lane who very quickly recognised maintaining patient safety without our wonderful junior doctors would require bold thought and early planning. Bravo.
The action is being backed by none other than Vivienne Westwood @FollowWestwood who has designed a tshirt for the protest:
Local Academic Board
LAB met this week. What is it? This is our visit from @HE_KSS which takes place after the Local Faculty Groups have met, to see if @ASPHFT are maintaining their academic contract with the Deanery. In other words: are trainees receiving the teaching & continuing professional development that HEKSS is paying for by providing a significant proportion of doctors' pre-banding salary?
College Tutors from all the specialities, Foundation Programme directors and junior doctor representatives all attend together with representatives from the Deanery.
A great number of issues raised will be dealt with by a significant Medical restructuring around takes and the Acute Medical Unit, but these major changes are now planned to take place in January as whilst the strikes hang over us, December is not the time to mix things up.
Surgeon of the Week
This week @Humphrey_Scott has managed to pin Consultant Urologist Bill Dunsmuir to the floor.
I love Bill. He is a brilliant pillar of the Surgical LFG and an amazing teacher who consistently demonstrates the highest praise in feedback. Bill is Programme Director for Urology, a speciality which @ASPHFT achieved green flags in the @gmcuk survey
Forthcoming Attractions
Online registration for this event via @RoySocMed closes Monday 30th November so get clicking on this link if you want in:
And some forward thinking for next year's BSS Courses:
Best wishes to our own NHS Ninja @samlamb24 Sam Lamb for a speedy recovery from her appendicetomy this week (and for tweeting it all!)
Sam looked after all our trainees in the PGEC before become the Overseas Visitor and PP Manager. Get Well Soon!
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