A short while ago doctors were complaining that they were not allowed to work enough hours to be adequately trained. Now they complain a change of hours, not an increase, plus 11-13 per cent pay rise is not enough.

Why did they choose medicine as a career if they were not prepared to look after patients outside office hours?

Sadly patients are sick 24 hours, seven days a week. How can they abandon their posts and say patients will not suffer?

What has happened to professionalism and caring not only for the patients but the whole NHS? We are all aware that as more treatments become available, finances are sorely stretched. It seems to me that doctors are contributing to the demise of the NHS.

Finally, to say they are fighting for the benefit of women doctors, is an insult to women.

As a woman who spent all my working life in the NHS and also a shop steward for part of the time, I feel very sad about the whole affair and wonder what world these doctors are living in and what world they would like to live in!

Ann Carruthers

Sedgwick