Having been involved in my legal practice for over 50 years with hospitals and medical practitioners, I have the greatest of respect for the expertise, commitment and dedication of the medical profession. A vocation, with the noblest commitment to alleviating suffering, healing the sick and caring for the most vulnerable, following the principle-Primum non nocere - First Do No Harm.
This latest development when for the first time NHS consultants and junior doctors are striking on the same day is irresponsible and renders them unworthy of public respect.
The junior doctors are led by a radical faction in the BMA, the doctors’ Union, no doubt politically motivated, pursuing an unaffordable and unjustified 35%, and why? Because they are ‘special’. Their earnings early in their careers may not be impressive, but before them is a path to a consultant’s income of £120,000 and a pension more than double the current average salary. Their profession is dedicated to caring – how does this strike stand with ignoring the immense and continuing impact on patient care and waiting lists?
As to the consultants, the pay deal offered to them will mean average full-time NHS earnings for consultants of £143,100 when all allowances are added in. This is in addition to all private work and a very generous pension regime. They have held their place in the hierarchy of workers, being over the 98th percentile of earners, meaning more than 98% of earners will earn less than an NHS consultant.
The irony is that if a higher award is made it will have to be paid for by increased tax, falling on the highest earners, namely themselves.
Above all, the consultants should prioritise the patients to whom they should be dedicated. Withdrawing labour at the same time striking junior doctors delays treatment of hundreds of thousands, and leaves the desperately ill patients at extreme risk. Consultants should refuse to withdraw labour when junior doctors are on strike. That would show maturity, dedication, responsibility and care for patients.
Sage Gateshead is a much loved icon on our landscape and adds cultural richness to the area. It is now recognised around the world by its name and amazing architecture. The recent decision to change the name from Sage, apparently stems from a decision that the new convention Centre to be constructed nearby is to be known as Sage.
A request for suggestions for a new name for the concert venue produced a shortlist of 100 – and the selection made is The Glasshouse. This immediately produced protest that the name is well known slang for a military prison. No doubt we will continue to refer to it as Sage for years to come and crucially we will enjoy its rich and varied music.
A recent trip to Scotland to visit friends in their new flat in Edinburgh provided the opportunity to visit two special gems. No, not the picture in Holyrood Palace of Nicola Sturgeon with Her Majesty the Queen. We went to see and ride on the famous Falkirk Wheel, a marvel of 21st century engineering, erected to provide a link between the two main canals In Scotland, the Union Canal and the Forth & Clyde. It was the world’s first rotating boat lift, raising and lowering gondolas with millions of litres of water, and boats, 35 metres up. Amazing spectacle and a living application of Archimedes principle. The Millennium Link was opened by The Queen in May 2002.
Also I recommend a visit to The Kelpies five miles away. These are stunning hollow steel-plated sculptures of mythical Celtic water horses in tribute to the horses which used to pull the canal barges. They are 30 metres high and part of an eco park.
I was honoured to attend a party arranged at the Discovery Museum to celebrate the 90th birthday of Dr Hari Shukla CBE. Hari came to Newcastle from Kenya in the early 70s and for over 50 years he has played a leading role in promoting community relations, racial and religious harmony and cooperation. This has been rightly recognised by various honours including the award of Freedom of the City. He is a true hero. Long may he continue his excellent initiatives.
A valuable point for Newcastle United in the Champions League against A C Milan. Fortunately Newcastle took their own Pope to Italy.
barryspeker@hotmail.com