EJD Statement on COVID-19 pandemic

The World Health Organisation has declared the SARS COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. Already strained European healthcare systems are experiencing huge numbers of patients requiring hospitalization and intensive care treatment.

Junior doctors are at the frontline in this pandemic. The European Junior Doctors Association is concerned about the safety, working conditions and well being of junior doctors and other healthcare workers in healthcare systems functioning under increasing pressure.

The European Junior Doctors Association calls upon the European Commission, and national governments, decision makers and authorities to immediately:

• Use the best available epidemiological evidence to aid decision making
• Secure access to sufficient appropriate personal protective equipment to safeguard safe working environments for healthcare staff.
• Protect junior doctors from unsafe working practices where they are pressurised to work beyond their competency
• Ensure adherence to safe working hours for doctors and healthcare workers.
• Limit the exposure of healthcare workers who are at increased risk, for example those with comorbidities and those who are pregnant, by appropriate work force distribution and management
• Provide doctors and healthcare workers with the necessary training, equipment and medications needed to ensure the best possible treatment of our patients and populations
• Fund hospitals and other healthcare facilities sufficiently in order to allow for the best possible care during this crisis and to prevent healthcare providers limiting care due to lack of funds or risk of financial collapse or bankruptcy.