19 April 2016

Read the latest statement from the College President about the junior doctors' dispute and the upcoming all out strike.

The Royal College of Pathologists has repeatedly called for the resumption of negotiations in the dispute over the junior doctors' contract. The upcoming all out strike makes this even more urgent. The imposition (or unilateral introduction) of a contract, which the Department of Health agrees will disadvantage many trainees, is not conducive to a motivated, productive and safe workforce. Morale among junior doctors is worryingly low. While the medical royal colleges can go some way to help improve the training experience, much of what needs improvement is outside our control.

In many pathology specialties there is little emergency commitment during training and many services are consultant-led, which minimise the effect of an all out strike by junior pathologists on patient care. Senior colleagues have stepped in to cover the work of juniors who have taken industrial action, ensuring that patients do not suffer. They will continue to do this if necessary.

Industrial action is not something that anyone takes lightly, let alone junior doctors who have dedicated their working lives to helping others. That so many voted for and are taking such action sends a strong message to the government. Irrespective of previous arguments or reasons for failed talks, I call on both the government and the BMA to resume negotiations for the long term benefit of our patients and our profession. If the Royal College of Pathologists can mediate, broker or facilitate such a conversation we would be more than happy to do so, as I'm sure would other medical royal Colleges. All have been working throughout the dispute to encourage a swift and fair solution.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the NHS is in crisis. While the government's aspiration of a 7-day NHS is laudable, it cannot be delivered by making more staff work at the weekends without employing additional people to fill the gaps during the week. Attempting to do so will just demoralise the already over-stretched workforce even more and increase the exodus from the profession.

19 April 2016
Dr Suzy Lishman, President, The Royal College of Pathologists 

25 April 2016 

On the 25 April, a joint letter from a number of royal medical colleges and health faculties including RCPath, was sent to the Prime Minister asking him to intervene in the junior doctors' contract dispute.

Joint letter to the Prime Minister - Junior Doctors' contract dispute 25 April