Junior doctors’ pay demands are unrealistic

sir – Junior doctors want a 35 per cent increase in their pay (report, March 24), the amount needed to restore their pay to the equivalent of what it was some 15 years ago. But this argument is the same for many sections of workers in this country, and is simply not sustainable at the present time.

I qualified in the mid-1960s, just when taking the Hippocratic Oath on qualifying was being relaxed, and thus never got to swear those sensitive and sensible words. Nonetheless, I always had an underlying belief that the oath should stop me from going on strike, as there would inevitably be a degree of harm sustained by my patients, and the first line of the oath states that one should do no harm. I remain pleased that I have long since retired.

Dr Malcolm Freeth

Bournemouth, Dorset

sir – As a recently retired hospital consultant, I think the potential new pension tax benefits would not draw me back (Comment, March 19). Towards the end of my career, I felt the NHS had become an unpleasant place to work. After 32 years’ service I received no official thanks from my employers, but a great send off from colleagues.

The next proposed junior doctors’ strike is clearly intended to cause maximum harm to the already struggling NHS. A four-day walkout, after a long Bank Holiday weekend, is frankly an outrage. Hospitals have always struggled after long weekends. I have much sympathy for junior doctors’ cause, but not their actions.

Just prior to retirement I was unfortunate enough to find myself in a local A&E department in the middle of the night. It was a horrific experience, and made me ashamed to work for the NHS. Now I feel more ashamed by the actions of NHS staff.

Dr Rosalind Mills

Leeds, West Yorkshire