The option of taking strike action should not be available to doctors as they have a special duty of care to their patients. Explain what is meant by this statement. Argue that it should be possible for doctors to go on strike as other workers do. To what extent should doctors’ duty of care to patients affect the conditions of their employment?

Doctors have taken the Hippocratic oath and essentially to “do no harm” to their patients Taking strike action directly affects patients, particularly those whose cure of an illness acutely depends on a doctor’s prescription Doctors are members of the BMA  the trade union and professional association for doctors and medical students in the UK, which can recommend strike action for members The GMC should withdraw the right of strike action from doctors

Doctors are like any other professional and have workers’ rights Where there is an impasse in negotiations over terms and conditions of employment, strike action is a legal entitlement Strike action raises public awareness and puts pressure on the government to agree more favourable terms Junior doctors in particular have to work long and unsociable hours

Doctors are not like any other worker as lives depend on the availability of qualified medical professionals However, doctors need to be able to perform effectively. Overworked, tired doctors are also a liability to public health A balance needs to be found between the views of the BMA and those of the GMC Doctors have entered the profession to help patients. No patient wants a disenfranchised doctor to treat them!