Hospital boss apologises to striking doctors

HOSPITAL BOSS 'MORTIFIED' AFTER EMAIL SENT IN ERROR

- ANNETTE BELCHER

THE boss of Derriford Hospital has said she was ‘mortified’ after learning of a damning email sent to junior doctors. In a new letter to all medical staff, which has been made public, the Plymouth hospital’s chief executive Ann James has updated colleagues following an internal view into the ‘procedural error.’

Senior management have apologised profusely since the email in question was sent ‘in error’ last month by an office administrator to all junior doctors. The email included a column, from The Times, on the strikes – which began toward the end of 2022 in a bitter dispute over NHS pay.

The piece claimed junior doctors were harming patients, with the strikes creating a “cruel and inhumane” result for patients. The email read: “Dear Drs, please find attached a newspaper clipping sent anonymously from a member of the public. I’ve been asked to send it on to yourselves for your perusal. However, I do hope you’ve all had a good week so far and truly appreciate everything you’re all doing for us.”