Jeremy Hunt’s plans to impose new contracts for doctors in August have caused huge controversy. In January, junior doctors staged the first medical strikes for over 40 years, claiming that plans for a 7 day-a-week NHS are both unsafe and unachievable. This month, plans to escalate strikes could lead to a full walk out. I spoke to a final-year medical student about the changes, and what it means for medical students. They didn’t wish to be named.

What was your reaction to the news of Jeremy Hunt’s plans to impose contract changes?

General dismay. I was surrounded by doctors when the news came through and to say they were furious is an understatement. Everyone was outraged, but also deeply concerned about the long term implications this will have for doctors, patients and the NHS.

Have you gone on strike?

I took a half strike day. We were encouraged to ‘fulfill our educational commitments’ so I attended my morning ward round where only two consultants were present. I helped out to begin with and then was actually told by my consultant to take the rest of the day off and support the cause! On the day, all patients I spoke to praised the care they had received from junior doctors and were supporting the strike.

Do you think this support will continue? Strikes have led to thousands of operations being cancelled and widespread disruption in the NHS.

The fact that two thirds of the public support junior doctors even after the strikes shows that people are still sympathetic to the cause. I know that many doctors are particularly uncomfortable about a strike which would stop even emergency care because of the potential risk to patients, so this would be a difficult decision to make. The public knows about the risk to the NHS which the contract poses.  They also know that a rapidly decreasing number of doctors are staying in the UK so hopefully support will continue.

Would you consider leaving the UK to find work?

Sadly yes. The reduced hours, pay that can be up to 50 per cent better than in the UK, and substantially better lifestyle make it very tempting. At the moment, nearly half of doctors who complete their foundation training don’t continue in the NHS.

How much is dissatisfaction with the contracts about pay?

It’s about much more than just pay. Most people did not go into medicine for the money. I find the fact that the debate has focused on this at the expense of other issues the most frustrating thing. Doctors are angry and discontented. Many are forced to work long punishing hours so their ability to make decisions which seriously affect patients’ lives is impaired. I spoke to one junior doctor who had worked five 12-hour shifts consecutively. That’s not rare. Saturday is going to be classed as a weekday and 9pm does not count as night so yes, the contracts will lead to reduced pay. But, more importantly, it will also increase the hours worked. Things will only become worse and patient care will suffer.

The Conservatives have been accused of moving towards privatisation. Do you fear the situation can only get worse for doctors?

I have been told by many doctors that the ultimate goal will be privatisation and they have resigned themselves to this. The Health and Social Care Act legislation that has already been brought in arguably allows for this privatization of the NHS and therefore we are already in the process. Many feel this contract dispute is a deliberate way to stop the loyalty between staff, patients and the NHS.

What do you wish to see in order to be satisfied by the contracts?

To prevent perhaps the most worrying aspect of the contract dispute which is the plan to get rid of workplace safeguards which currently stop doctors working extreme hours and therefore putting patients at risk.

If the contracts are brought in, will you feel forced to change career plans?

Perhaps not forced, but it is definitely in the back of my mind. Constantly I see ‘Management Consultancy for Medics’ crash courses advertised and talks about future careers outside of medicine; several people I know have already dropped out and gone into banking. It’s a real shame that all these people who had always dreamt of becoming a doctor are feeling like there is no other option but to change careers.