16 March 2023 , 18:20
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There was fresh snow overnight, and the thermometer registered -2C.
But on the doctors’ picket line outside Airedale General Hospital there was a warm greeting from the public.
Passing motorists hooted a symphony of support, and the medics waved their thanks in reply. It was an uplifting scene, and I was happy to bring our readers’ backing.
In the Mirror’s daily poll, 83% supported the junior doctors in their fight for better pay. “Take me to your leader!” I asked the strikers, and Dr Chantelle Waddington, 24, stepped forward. “It was very cold at 8am, but we’ve had up to 20 here every one of the three days.
Striking doctors held protests across the country this week (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)“The support we’ve had from the public has been marvellous.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
“Even the consultants covering for us help, sending hot drinks and sandwiches. They know how hard this is.”
After her winter day’s protest, Dr Waddington goes straight on to a 12½-hour shift, looking after 300 patients in general medicine wards.
The pressure is intense. “I probably won’t have time for a meal or toilet breaks. I do that because I care about my job.”
It’s tough. “I’m saving up for my wedding next year,” Chantelle told me. “The choice has to be between paying my mortgage, saving up and supporting my colleagues. Each time you have to take a balanced decision.”
Like thousands of others, I owe my life to these people. They deserve better.
A wage settlement for nurses, ambulance staff and other NHS workers is almost certain after many weeks of walkouts, but the doctors’ dispute drags on.
Chancellor Hunt, hammer of the junior doctors over their contracts in 2016, obviously wants to make it two-nil.
But it would be a Pyrrhic victory, simply accelerating the exodus of medics from the health service.
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Prince Andrew is “bewildered and despairing” because the King is keeping his mother’s £650million fortune to himself.
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Just breaks your heart, doesn’t it? You flog your guts out in a lifetime of royal duties, and you get nothing when your mega-rich mum dies.
The Duke hoped for a big-lolly legacy, but the money normally goes from monarch to monarch to escape inheritance tax, as reaffirmed by John Major in 1993.
New research suggests that wealth “does not guarantee happiness”.
Maybe not, but Air Miles Andy is willing to give it a try.