Junior doctors plot to ‘takeover’ the British Medical Association in an attempt launch a series debilitating strikes.
Reddit is reportedly being used by anonymous trainee doctors to organize on Reddit for election to high-ranking positions in the BMA, in order to lead the organisation to major strikes.
Junior doctors are upset about their conditions and the amount of student debt they have to pay after six years of medical school.
Pro-strike candidates will be nominated for election under the plan with a concerted effort for support for radical actions.
According to The Times the plan was created on Reddit and other online messaging boards.
Junior doctors complain that their salaries have fallen by 30% in the last decade of austerity measures.
Reddit post: ‘Can you take over the BMA? Serious question’.
Reddit is being used by anonymous junior doctors to organize possible strikes
The British Medical Association is seeking to elect doctors to its board in order to force strike action against the Government’s proposed two per cent pay offer.
The post continued: “Given that the current leadership clearly doesn’t want to strike, what can we actually do about it?” I think we can. We all have numbers and want the same thing. If we could translate that into voting in elections and using our numbers, I believe we could eliminate these losers.
“Elections for representatives seem to be won with low double-digit votes. We have the numbers to elect people and put them up for election on this subreddit. The careerists lack the social media presence that we have. If we organise ourselves, we can take them out of the picture. I like the idea that the BMA could be taken over. These d******* aren’t ready for us.’
Anonymous medics claimed that as little as ten votes could swing an election at the local level, which could have significant impacts on national elections.
Others suggested that the forum members demand fair pay, proper training protections, as well as payment for post-graduation exams. Strike full. Maximum disruption. Maximum damage.’
Sajid Javid, a new health secretary, is also in danger of industrial action by doctors following the row about face-to-face consultations.
The BMA plans to ballot its members on industrial action after it rejected Mr Javid’s plans for general practice.
Family doctors complain that the number and quality of GPs in NHS has declined by 6 per cent since 2006, leading to a 10 percent increase in doctor-patient ratio.
Dr Sarah Hallett, and Dr Mike Kemp, cochairs of BMA’s junior doctor committee, commented on speculations about strike action. They said: “The autumn of 2022 will see the junior doctor committee elections and all members are welcome to stand for their positions.
“We are always open to receiving views and opinions from our members. Members are welcome to contact me if they have any concerns, suggestions, or other approaches to the work that we do.
“We recently surveyed more that 6,000 BMA junior doctors about their thoughts on the pay increase for this year. Nearly all of them (96.6%) agreed that the planned 2 percent was either unacceptable or inadequate.
‘Our members were dismayed at not being included in this year’s pay award for NHS staff and said they felt devalued as a result.
“Earlier this week, we agreed to intensify the pay campaigning. However, we also retain the option to vote to take industrial action later if no change is forthcoming. We are determined to ensure that doctors get fair compensation for the work they do.