Dear Colleague,

As medical professionals, our primary responsibility is to deliver the best possible healthcare to our patients. We have dedicated our lives to caring for patients and the ethos of the NHS has led to the overwhelming majority of us making many sacrifices in order to serve our patients the best we can, regardless of personal recognition or financial reward. The ongoing dispute between the government and junior doctors is causing considerable disquiet, loss of morale and, if not resolved immediately, will result in significant damage to the NHS, to the medical profession and to our society.

The contractual negotiations have been ongoing for nearly three years. Irrespective of the reasons for the current stalemate, the junior doctors feel aggrieved and are planning on industrial action. With 98% of those balloted supporting this, we have to listen to their concerns intently. However, any disruption to NHS service is not ideal and should be averted, if possible. This can be achieved only if the junior doctors regain the trust of the government and the two sides talk without preconditions or impositions.

With the well-being of the society we serve in mind, we all need to come together to help resolve this crisis. We are not debating what is right or wrong, or what should have been done, but politely requesting Rt Hon Prime Minister David Cameron to instruct his government to resolve this amicably.

There are no winners in this ongoing dispute. If not resolved, everyone will lose – the patients, staff morale, junior doctors, consultants, society and the country. We should not allow this to happen.

Whether you are a medical student or a senior medical professional, we all have a role and responsibility to support our health-system and this includes stepping in at times of crisis. NHS belongs to us and we want the personnel working in it feel valued, appreciated and their concerns heard.

I earnestly request you to sign this letter to Rt Hon Prime Minister David Cameron to demonstrate our willingness, as a profession, to work together in resolving this dispute.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Stuart Enoch
Chief Executive
Doctors Academy Group

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ELECTRONIC TEMPLATE OF THE LETTER