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PA Wire
UK News

Christian junior doctor: Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is shattering NHS with proposed pay changes

by Aaron James

Anna Cripps was speaking after Jeremy Hunt offered to raise junior doctors basic rate of pay by 11% in an attempt to stop them voting to strike on Thursday.

The move is part of an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions, which culminated in a protest of tens of thousands in central London last month.

The government has said it wants to create a "truly seven day NHS" where doctors and other healthcare staff are as numerous on a weekend as they are during the week,

It has also said the vast majority of doctors will not lose out in a bid to make this happen.

To achieve the proposed seven-day NHS the Health Secretary is proposing to cut doctor's bonus pay for unsociable hours like evenings and weekends and their regular pay increases.

Anna Cripps, a junior doctor working in Truro, has said the Health Secretary's changes will amount to a 30% pay cut for them.

She told Premier's News Hour: "There already is a seven-day NHS, that's being portrayed really, really badly.

"We already have all emergency services and lots of care going on, and there's doctors every day of the week, so I think the statistics that he uses about needing a seven-day NHS are false.

"It makes me so sad that I feel like the NHS is being completely shattered. I think the NHS is an amazing thing and I hope that people will stay in the UK and will work, but it's kind of creaking at the seams and a lot of things are being taken away from it.

"My prayer's that we would have people of faith in the government that are making good and wise decisions and most of all that patients will be safe, and that we will continue to put their safety first."

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said in a statement: "This government is completely committed to the values of the NHS - the same values that encourage aspiring doctors to take up a career in medicine.

"Junior doctors are the backbone of the NHS, but the current contract has failed to prevent some working unsafe hours, and doesn't reward them fairly.

"We know also that they feel unsupported because consultants and diagnostic services are not always available in the evenings and at weekends.

"Today a firm offer for a new contract has been published by NHS Employers.

"The new contract will be fairer for doctors, safer for patients and juniors alike, better for training, and will better support a 7-day NHS."

Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speaking to Anna Cripps on the News Hour:

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