Senior medics in England have warned that the controversial new contract for junior doctors that have been proposed by the government would discriminate strongly against female medical practitioners, according to The Independent. Currently, more than one in 10 junior doctors across England are not working full-time, with most of them being women who are returning from maternity leave. Under the new contract, however, part-time junior doctors would be penalized by a slower career progression.
Dr. Andrew Hartle, president of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, also stated that the proposed removal of some safeguards around shift breaks would be especially disadvantageous for female junior doctors who are working during their pregnancies.
Since talks broke down between junior doctors and the government in 2014, the issue has escalated further, culminating in a mass walkout across England on Tuesday. With the 24-hour strike ongoing, about 4,000 routine treatments are set to be postponed, reports BBC News.
Though the effects of the strike are quite significant to the health care of patients across medical facilities in England, doctors who participated in the strike feel that the government simply is not providing them with any other choice.
"We would not be striking if we felt we had any other alternative. We already work tons of weekends as junior doctors. All we're asking is not to work more of them for less pay. Anyone in their right mind would fight this. We're not asking for perks, just for recognition on how hard we really do work, and not taking a pay cut is part of this," Dr. Nina Beck of Bristol said, according to The Guardian.
For more World News, click here.
