to say that I am really glad not to be in labour today

[var123]

and to feel really sorry for anyone who is. Its stressful enough without worrying about not getting help if things start to go wrong.

YABU
For reasons already posted.
Hunt will go after consultants and nurses next that's a worry.

Why would there be less doctors on call? They have planned for this. There is no elective surgery so all the consultants will be around.

Consultants don't only work 50% of the time.

If you have a job where you are expected to be on call for weekends and nights, then there is provision for time off during the week. Even so, it would not be unusual to work 50+ hours over the course of a working week.

Those consultants who may be scheduled to have a day off or do admin today will be providing clinical care instead.

OP I can see why you'd be worried as the cover arrangements aren't always that well explained by some parts of the media.

In reality though, as others have said, the care is likely to be very good today.

I'm 38 weeks pregnant and I support the strike.

YABU

Why would you be concerned? The cover will be being provided by consultants and associate specialists (senior Dr's who are not consultants and not in trainee posts). The midwifery staffing and theatre staffing (should you need it) will be unaffected. The trusts have had quite a long time to plan it all. It is only elective care which will be severely hit, as consultants will be covering emergency care and so cannot do their routine work.

In the event that the hospital feels the situation is unsafe and consultants overwhelmed, the juniors can be called back in.

It seems you are one of those who has been fooled by the government's shameful (and dangerous) rhetoric.

I will reiterate for everyone pregnant- if you need emergency care whether it be because you are in labour, reduced feral movements, bleeding or whatever- then please contact your maternity unit in the usual way. You will be seen. You and your baby will receive the care you need. Please don't be frightened or worried, please don't be put off from seeking help because of the government's scare-mongering.

Same goes for everyone who is unwell- your GP will be open, A&E will be open and staffed by senior clinicians. Same goes for medical and surgical admission units, and the wards. If you need emergency care, you will get it. If you are in hospital already, the consultants are covering the wards in place of the junior staff.

readytorage - yes any doctor below the level of consultant is called a junior doctor.

This can often be a bit of a misnomer as I know some "junior" doctors who have 12yrs experience.

I didn't know registrars were Junior doctors. I stand corrected

No the consultants may all be working but half would be in non urgent consults or paperwork or training or similar. Today they will all be on main wards. Obviously some on different shifts also, or might usually work 5 days in 7, and the week will do 6 days

In that case, if you are all correct and it's safer to be in hospital today because of the strike, you have to wonder what they are expecting to achieve by striking.

It will definitely be nurses next, and allied health professionals such as physios and OTs, anyone on agenda for change. This is just the start.

Well they still make a point striking, they still had to pull in all consultants from doing other stuff, and will now have a backlog of non urgent stuff to reschedule so a pain

You'll be cared for by consultants and associate specialists. Take the time you spend scaremongering and spend it reading up on the issues instead.

Personally I think today would be one of the best days to go into hospital for any reason! All services are being manned by consultants and senior staff.

As others have said, no problems, all consultant care today.
Artandco yes, it's a pain. Talk to Jeremy.

Through - the problem is that clinics and elective operations will be cancelled today in droves in order to free up senior doctors to do ward work and emergency care. Despite the fact that junior doctors will not be paid for the next two days, the hospitals will lose money because they are not getting income for elective work.

It is unsustainable in the long run for the NHS to function without junior doctors. M

Med school applications are down 18% and training posts are unfilled due to what juniors can see coming if the government impose this contract.

facepalm

.... and one of those as well. PLEASE educate yourself on the issue before making such ill-informed statements.

Agree with art. Just because patient safety isn't compromised, that doesn't mean the strike won't have an impact.

YABVU and apparently have fallen for the government's spin.

I bet the government are practically salivating over today's death rates, hoping they can fill papers with headlines along the lines of "Junior Doctors' strike kills #" for idiots to believe.

Just like the whole "more people die on the weekend" bollocks. It's just a shame more people don't understand proper statistical analysis.

I am not trying to scaremonger. (I'd have gone for the pregnancy board if I wanted to do that.)

Nor am I passing judgement on whether the junior doctors have cause or not. That's not what the thread is about, or at least that's not what i intended it to be about. Others can push it in that direction if they choose but I won't join in.

Only thinking sympathetically for those about to have their babies today. (Or indeed need urgent hospital treatment for any reason).

What an absolute ridiculous post. You really have done no reading about this at all have you OP
Well, apart from the Daily Mail by the looks of it.

But can't you see they are getting the very best care anyway?? They will all be looked at by consultants, which part of this don't you understand?

OP are you a stooge for Jeremy Hunt?

"Its stressful enough without worrying about not getting help if things start to go wrong."

You're implying that people won't get looked after today, which sounds like scaremongering to me.

It seems you are one of those who has been fooled by the government's shameful (and dangerous) rhetoric

Your posts are are nothing more that shit stirring. Rather than beating around the bush with the faux sympathy, why don't you actually say what you mean.