Police searching for missing junior doctor Rose Polge have refused to deny a report that she left a note addressed to Jeremy Hunt before she went missing halfway through a shift.
Dr Polge, 25, who was a vocal supporter of the junior doctors' strike, disappeared on Friday before her car was found parked at Anstey's Cove near Torquay, Devon. A hooded top said to belong to her has been washed ashore nearby.
ITV News Westcountry reported that "persistent rumours" have been circulating at Torbay Hospital, where Dr Polge worked, that she had left a note for the Health Secretary, who plans to impose a controversial new contract on junior doctors.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said today: "We are not making any comment about a note or the contents of it."
Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, which runs Torbay Hospital, refused to say anything beyond a one-sentence statement it released on Monday saying it was "aware" that one of its doctors was missing and would be providing support to her colleagues and family.
Last month Dr Polge posted a new Facebook profile picture, featuring the hashtag #NotFairNotSafe.
She also shared a link to a petition asking the British Medical Association to support the junior doctors' strike which opposed changes to working hours and conditions proposed by Mr Hunt.
Police described her disappearance as "totally out of character".
Dr Polge, from Royston, Herts., last spoke to her boyfriend at 1pm on Friday before her car was found in the car park at Anstey's Cove at 6pm.
One of her friends told The Sun she had disappeared halfway through a shift at the hospital, and had been under strain from the long hours she had been working.
The friend said: "She usually had a smile on her face but the last couple of weeks were taking their toll.
"Rose was always cheerful and worked incredibly hard to get where she was."
Police divers have joined a helicopter, drone, RNLI lifeboat and search team of 100 volunteers, including Dr Polge's parents Mark and Heather.
Martin Ringrose, Director of Human Resources at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are aware that one of our junior doctors is missing. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this very distressing time.
"We will do whatever we can to support the authorities investigating her disappearance and searching for her, as well as providing support to her colleagues, who are anxious for her wellbeing.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: "We are extremely concerned for the welfare of Rose and are desperate to locate her."
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