The new health secretary must tackle ȷunior doctors’ dissatisfaction before winter

Despite the announcement of new strike dates, the recent offer by the government to NHS consultants and progress in conversations between the Department of Health and junior doctor representatives provide hope for resolution of industrial action. Negotiations, and any subsequent offers, represent an important opportunity to consider and tackle all the root causes of junior doctors’ discontent.The new health secretary Victoria Atkins took office with a long to-do list. At the top of this list sat the need to urgently resolve junior doctor and consultant industrial action, tackle long NHS waiting lists, and manage the increasing clinical pressures anticipated this winter. Junior doctors’ dissatisfaction in particular remains at the forefront of the minds of doctors, patients, and hospital trusts. The last round of industrial action led to 130 000 appointments being rescheduled and doctors losing further pay and valuable training opportunities.1 As seasonal pressures begin to strain NHS services, an…
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