Junior Doctors Facing Forced Contract Changes

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he hoped the government did not have to resort to the move, saying the contract on offer would mean “better care for patients”. Studies show that mortality rates are higher at weekends when staffing is reduced.

It is looking likely that government will impose a new working contract for junior doctors after being advised by its lead negotiator Sir David Dalton that there is no realistic prospect of a deal.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt made the announcement today, claiming that a “negotiated solution” with the British Medical Association was “not realistically possible”.

Thousands of junior doctors have walked off the job in England in a dispute over pay and working…

FAULT clearly exists on both sides of the junior doctors’ strike after NHS services were hit by the second walkout of staff.

The change has angered doctors, who say it would reduce overtime pay and cut salaries.

Picket lines were formed outside hospitals as junior doctors took 24 hours of strike action which ended at 8am today in a long-running dispute over the contract.

“Junior doctors already work around the clock, seven days a week”, he said.

We are continuing to plan to ensure we robustly protect the safety and welfare of patients and ensure that services continue to be provided.

“I do believe, however, that the process of negotiation has uncovered some wider and more deep-seated issues relating to junior doctors’ morale, wellbeing and quality of life which need to be addressed”.

NHS England has said that 1,150 planned inpatient procedures have been cancelled as a result of the planned strike, alongside 1,734 day procedures.

That raises the possibility of more industrial action to come, while media reports have focused on mass resignations and junior doctors refusing to sign new contracts.

An offer from the Government in November said doctors would receive time-and-a-half for any hours worked Monday to Sunday between 10pm and 7am, and time-and-a-third for any hours worked between 7pm and 10pm on Saturdays and 7am and 10pm on Sundays.

The Health Secretary had been warned he could face mass-resignations if a new contract was imposed.

As well as calling the emergency number 999, residents who are feeling unwell can contact NHS 111, contact their GP or pharmacist.

It is unclear at the moment how the BMA will respond to that prospect, although their mandate allows them to call more strikes.