14.01.2016

Trusting who?

Richard Galen writes from the picket line at Croydon University Hospital

Achilly morning on the picket line outside Croydon University Hospital in South London could not dampen the spirits of junior doctors, not least because they were bolstered by overwhelming public support.

A chorus of car horns from the rush-hour traffic greeted striking medics, as they staged the first of the three planned walkouts in protest at the imposition of new contracts by the department of health. Patients and members of the public stopped to show their support by having a chat, pinning on a badge or even, in one case, buying us a tray of biscuits from the hospital shop.

But the most visible support came from fellow public-sector workers, including teachers who joined the picket, along with Philipa Harvey, president of the National Union of Teachers and a local resident. Passing paramedics flashed their ambulance lights, sounded their sirens and shouted encouragement. Members of left groups dropped by to show their solidarity and even a police officer did his bit by donating hand-warmers for those holding placards.

Attempts to derail the strike by NHS managers at Sandwell General in the West Midlands, where they declared a ‘major incident’ - usually reserved for events like a terrorist attack or multi-car pile-up - for the simple fact that the hospital was short of beds, were staunchly and correctly resisted by the British Medical Association, and striking doctors quickly returned to the picket line.

The question remains as to whether the government will see fit to act on the concerns raised by the doctors and their union, but after today one thing was very clear to me - the public trust the real doctors more than the spin doctors.