MISSING JUNIOR DOCTOR: DID SHE LEAVE NOTE FOR HEALTH SECRETARY JEREMY HUNT?
A MISSING junior doctor left a note that included a reference to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, it was revealed yesterday.
Rose Polge, 25, was last seen on Friday afternoon after vanishing halfway through a shift.
She was a vocal supporter of the junior doctors’ strike and allegedly addressed “several issues” in the lengthy personal letter to her family.
Dr Polge disappeared from Torbay Hospital, in Torquay, Devon, just two days after the last walkout over pay and hours.
Shortly after she was reported missing. Her car was found at nearby Anstey’s Cove, a quiet beach between cliffs.
A hooded top believed to belong to Dr Polge was found washed up on the shore nearby.
Sources said the note, which was left in her car, dealt with “deeply personal issues” and made a brief reference to the Health Secretary, who plans to impose controversial new contracts on junior doctors.
Last night, a source said: “The note is from Rose and is deeply personal to her family.
“There were a number of personal messages – one of those messages mentioned Jeremy Hunt.
“The note was addressed to Rose’s family, it was not addressed to Jeremy Hunt.
“The majority of the note concerns very personal matters. It is very heartfelt.”
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We are not confirming or speculating on the content of any note.”
Friends told how Dr Polge was “always cheerful and worked incredibly hard” but was “stressed” before she vanished.
She comes from a family of doctors. Her father Mark is a GP, sister Hazel is a doctor and brother Samuel is a doctor specialising in eye conditions.
Her grandfather Christopher Polge was an eminent biologist whose work helped form the foundation of cryobiology.
A statement from the family released yesterday said: “We are overwhelmed by the support from her friends and colleagues, dozens of whom have been combing the Devon coast in search of Rose.” Police divers have joined a helicopter, drone and RNLI lifeboat in the search for Dr Polge, who is 5ft 2in with brown eyes and long black hair.
Frogmen searched crevices around the rugged coastline as the operation continued yesterday.
Dr Polge’s car was discovered in a car park beside the shingle beach at about 6pm on Friday.
It is understood the hooded top was found on the beach on Sunday night and has since been identified as belonging to Dr Polge.
Martin Ringrose, of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this very distressing time.
“We will do whatever we can to support the authorities investigating her disappearance and searching for her, as well as providing support to her colleagues, who are anxious for her wellbeing.”
Police said Dr Polge’s disappearance is “totally out of character” and that officers were “extremely concerned” for her welfare.
Mr Hunt announced last week that he would impose new pay and conditions on junior doctors in England. He said the doctors’ union, the British Medical Association, had proved “unwilling” to show flexibility and compromise.
The Department of Health said: “Our thoughts are with Dr Polge’s family and friends at an extremely difficult time.”