Doctor’s Lucrative Role in Doctors’ Strikes
A prominent union leader at the forefront of doctors’ strikes is revealed to be a Labour activist who charged the NHS an astonishing £1,870 for a single strike cover shift.
Dr. Tom Dolphin, a consultant anaesthetist from London, donated this sum to the British Medical Association’s strike fund, asserting that it strengthens the strike’s impact and hastens victory.
A Dual Role
Dr. Dolphin holds a dual role as a member of the ruling BMA Council and the BMA Consultant’s Committee, in addition to serving as a media spokesperson for striking doctors.
However, his involvement extends beyond the medical field, as he is a dedicated Labour activist with over a decade of political campaigning experience.
He has aligned himself with hard-left MP John McDonnell and served as the election agent for Dawn Butler in the last two general elections.
Advocacy for Various Causes
Beyond his political activism, Dr. Dolphin actively promotes woke causes, including trans rights and veganism.
His online presence reflects his engagement in diverse social and political issues, from trans rights marches to his criticism of Brexit as a “failure.”
Concerns of Political Motivation
Ministers suspect that the ongoing doctors’ strike is politically motivated, with the BMA leadership showing little interest in resolving differences with the current government.
Moreover, there are concerns that some consultants are capitalizing on the industrial action by charging inflated overtime rates to cover for absent junior doctors, potentially offsetting their losses from strike days.
Government Response
The government has offered doctors a substantial pay increase, ranging from 6% to 10.3%, along with generous pension reforms.
However, the political undertones of the strike persist, as evidenced by nearly a dozen Labour MPs joining BMA picket lines and the timing of the latest walkout during the Conservative Party conference.
A Call for Action
Amid these developments, a Conservative source voices concern about the intertwining of Labour Party activism with militant BMA strike action.
The source calls upon Keir Starmer to distance Labour from the strikes and support the government’s efforts to reduce waiting lists.
BMA’s Perspective
Professor Phil Banfield, BMA chair of the council, emphasizes the non-partisan nature of the organization, representing members from various political backgrounds united in safeguarding the NHS.
He commends Dr. Dolphin for his dedication and generosity in supporting legal industrial action through donations to the strike fund.
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