'We do not want to do this...it's a last resort'

OUTSIDE St Thomas’ Hospital in Central London, just across the Thames from the House of Commons, a bright orange beanie hat-wearing cohort of resident doctors are loudly letting the world know that they have begun their 14th walkout in two years, and the 54th day of industrial action over the same period.

- BY RICHARD ASHMORE

But unlike the tourist-trodden Westminster Bridge just yards from where the doctors have gathered, there seems to be no bridging the troubled waters of negotiations between the British Medical Association and Health Secretary Wes Streeting

Joke

A YouGov poll this month found the majority of members of the public surveyed (58%) either strongly oppose, or somewhat oppose, the strikes, compared to 12% who strongly support the action, and just 21% who are somewhat in favour.

Support for the medics has steadily drained away over the months.

One resident, Aadam Aziz, 28, a psychiatric doctor and BMA rep, said senior colleagues had joked the hospital runs better when the residents are on strike.