Striking junior doctors from the Countess of Chester Hospital formed an unofficial choir when they sang a stirring anthem to express their grievances.

The docs changed the words to a well known number from the musical Les Miserables, set during the French revolution, from ‘Can you hear the people sing?’ to ‘Do you hear the doctors sing?’.

Related story: Striking doctors at Countess of Chester Hospital insist patients are safe

They found their voice on the picket-line outside the Countess when they took part in a national dispute on Tuesday and Wednesday (April 26-27) against the imposition of new contracts by health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Their union, the BMA, worries doctors will end up working around the clock making it unsafe for patients but junior doctors also express concerns for the future of the NHS in general because of fears around privatisation.

Related story: Chester residents join doctors on Countess of Chester Hospital picket-line

A video of the junior doctors’ choir, posted on You Tube and Twitter, has been viewed nearly 2,500 times.

The doctors can be heard singing: “Do you hear the doctors sing? Singing the song for angry men. We are the doctors of the future who will not be slaves again. When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums then there’s an NHS to save when tomorrow comes.”

The original song is a revolutionary call for people to overcome persecution and adversity.

BMA official Namal Rupasinghe who works at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

BMA rep Namal Rupasinghe said many of the women doctors were actually members of a real choir which accounted for the tunefulness of the sound. Fellow junior doctors Dr James Shelton changed the words and Dr Robyn Powell brought the instruments.

Speaking of the 'great atmosphere', Namal, who filmed the occasion, said: "As long as the message came through in the medium of song that would be great."

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The junior doctors’ version continues: “Will you join in our crusade against the DDRB (Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body)? Beyond the barricades Mr Hunt is hunting me. Then join in the fight that will keep your health for free.”

With the sound of supportive motorists on Liverpool Road tooting their horns, the doctors ask in song: “Will you give all you can give to let the BMA advance?”

The doctors end their rousing rendition with the chant 'Not safe, not fair!' before applauding their efforts.