24.06.16
Junior doctors’ contract is ‘fair to all’ – Ben Gummer
The new junior doctors contract is “fair to all”, health minister Ben Gummer MP has said, adding that he will work with the British Medical Association (BMA) in order to tackle further issues affecting the medical workforce.
The BMA staged a series of partial and all-out junior doctors’ strikes against the contract and launched a judicial review on the grounds that it discriminated against women doctors and those with disabilities.
However, it has now agreed a new contract with the government, which junior doctors are currently voting on.
In a letter to Dr Johann Malawana, chair of the BMA junior doctors’ committee, Gummer said: “I am confident that the new contract is fair to all, including protected groups, whilst recognising the importance of the contract continuing to be built on equal pay principles. I know that you have argued strongly that this is the case, based on the position agreed in negotiations.”
He added that the BMA and government have agreed to work together to monitor implementation of the contract.
The government has also agreed a programme of work, led by Health Education England, to support those returning to the workforce after taking time out to raise children.
He also said that he will work with the BMA to tackle issues beyond the contract, including working conditions for LTFT (less than full time) trainees and the issue of gender discrimination in pay.
He suggested that a sub-group of the Social Partnership Forum, which he chairs, carries out a review of the gender pay gap, with junior doctor representation, and publishes the results in September.
Dr Malawana said: “This letter is reassuring regarding the government’s commitment to trying to ensure that those LTFT trainees on the current terms and conditions through transition should be able to count on those terms and conditions.
“The JDC welcomes the commitment to working on closing the gender pay gap and trying to solve many of the issues facing all our trainees.
“Junior doctors continue to make their decision over this contract and we hope all doctors eligible to vote will do so.”
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