Cancelled appointments only show the importance of junior doctors

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NHS junior doctors picket outside Southend University Hospital in Essex last week (PA)

Reports that around 200,000 NHS appointments had to be cancelled due to strikes show exactly how vitally important and necessary the roles of junior doctors are – especially after the damaging effects of 10 years of “austerity” and then Covid.

How upset, frightened, and inconvenienced people are by cancellations is easy to tell by their reactions. But to hear then that some junior doctors are paid £14 per hour – as qualified professionals who have completed a medical degree and foundation training – should encourage us to support them even more.

Jenny Backwell