“They deserve a fair deal”-Welsh Lib Dems stand by striking Junior Doctors

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have reaffirmed their support for striking Junior Doctors.

This week saw the commencement of a three-day strike by more than 3,000 British Medical Association (BMA) members over a pay dispute with the Welsh Government.

It is the second walk out by doctors since January, who say that they have effectively lost about a third of their pay in the last 15 years.

The Welsh Lib Dems have accused the Welsh Labour Government of “burying their head in the sand” over the issue.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

“We as a party would like to reiterate our support for the thousands of junior doctors currently on strike here in Wales.

The current offer of a 5% pay rise by the Welsh Labour Government is one of the worst paid deals in the UK and does nothing to alleviate the financial pressures placed on NHS staff.

Workforce issues relating to pay and poor staff retention levels are some of the many key issues facing the NHS, leading to many junior doctors being driven out of Wales and forced to offer their talents elsewhere. 

Our junior doctors deserve a fair deal, one that allows them to live comfortably so that their talents remain in Wales for the foreseeable future.

The Welsh Government must stop burying their heads in the sand.”