Government plans to create a seven-day working week for doctors have been slammed by Green Party leader Natalie Bennett who is urging the government to call an end to “health service austerity” and instead invest in “primary and community care”.
Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt revealed the proposals in a speech on Thursday [16 July] that have been labelled as a “wholesale attack” on doctors by the British Medical Association.
The Green Party has a commitment to maintain a publicly funded, publicly provided health service free at the point of use.
Bennett said:
“Jeremy Hunt’s ‘ultimatum’ is typical of the Tories’ damaging and antagonistic approach to public services. Forcing new doctors to work seven days a week is the polar opposite of the solution needed to our chronic shortage of staff, and shows an utter lack of respect for the needs of NHS workers.
“Doctors are already stressed, overworked and, in increasing numbers, considering leaving the profession due to arbitrary targets, short staffing, and punitive legislation; we should be ensuring that they have the resources and support they need to properly care for patients, not imposing further demands which will damage doctors’ work-life balance and make the NHS an even less attractive employer.
“Instead of barrelling ahead with measures opposed en masse by NHS staff, the government should be calling an end to health service austerity, stopping the privatisation of our health service, and investing in primary and community care.”