Health professionals

Treatment not Trident; that was the theme of the health professionals blockade.

At a morning "clinic" in central Glasgow we distributed prescriptions for the prevention of nuclear war recommending dialogue for disarmament, use as often as possible. As we explained to passers-by, our work as doctors involves talking to people and encouraging them to express their concerns about their health. This includes encouraging them to express their concerns and make their voices heard about the catastrophic health effects of nuclear weapons.

Later, at the gates of Faslane, we held a Burns Supper, the haggis piped in by Borders piper, Ewan Ross, singing and dancing. The police on duty, without exception reasonable and friendly, seemed tempted to join in. The Burns words form “A man’s a man for a’ that” were particularly apt for the location, “And man to man the world o’er shall brithers be for a’ that”. The next day, we again engaged in as much dialogue as possible with the officers on duty, carried out our action, lying down in the road blocking the entrance to the gate, and were duly arrested.

We were only held for a few hours and throughout the police acted professionally and courteously. They are doing their jobs, as we are. Ours, to draw the public attention to the risk Trident poses, is a very important one.

We are intending to hold another health professional protest in May, encouraging all working in health, and especially students,to join us.Please contact Dr Diana Warner, dwarner@tantraweb.co.uk.

The Medact briefing, "Britain's new nuclear weapoons; illegal, indiscriminate and catastrophic for health" can be accessed at www.medact.org.