Despite efforts from health secretary Jeremy Hunt to allay fears over the potential impact of changes to junior doctor contracts, doctors' leaders remain concerned that the changes could bring cuts of up to 30% to GP trainee and junior doctors' pay.
Junior doctors are about to be balloted by the BMA over industrial action.
BMA education, training and workforce subcommittee chair Dr Krishna Kasaraneni, former RCGP chair Dr Clare Gerada and other senior GPs were among the protesters.
@Jeremy_Hunt - you wanted to meet for a chat? Here are some waiting for you #juniorcontract #notsafenotfair pic.twitter.com/5ijUbVAHGK
— Krishna Kasaraneni (@Dr_Kasaraneni) October 17, 2015
I support our #juniordoctors pic.twitter.com/KyENqZpPxX
— Clare Gerada (@clarercgp) October 17, 2015
With @TheBMA @elsdraeger #juniordoctorprotest pic.twitter.com/hz7MEJ3gmt
— Helena McKeown (@helenamckeown) October 17, 2015
I am a GP. I care deeply about our #NHS. I was a #juniordoctor. I stand with them now. #notsafenotfair #istandwithjohann #juniorcontract
— Dr Nikita Kanani (@NikkiKF) October 17, 2015
To enable junior doctors to take time out of work (on a Saturday) and take part in the protest, consultants were reported to have worked for free to provide cover.
These juniors could attend the #juniordoctorprotest because their consultants came into cover them #juniorcontract pic.twitter.com/78sYWjML32
— johannmalawana (@johannmalawana) October 17, 2015
TV doctor Dr Ranj Singh was among many protesters who posted videos on Twitter of the day's events.
Thank you EVERYONE who came to support #juniordoctors today. What a wonderful group of caring people! ?? #NHS pic.twitter.com/sUpJsoxayD
— Ranj Singh (@DrRanj) October 17, 2015
High profile celebrity supporters backed the protest, too, among them Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
Standing with the #juniordoctors protesting the Tories' #juniorcontract today!
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 17, 2015
Photo: NHA Party
