07.07.16
New junior doctors’ leader will ‘continue to fight’ contract imposition
Junior doctors will ‘continue to fight’ the new contract following Jeremy Hunt’s announcement that he is imposing it, the new chair of the BMA junior doctors’ committee (JDC) has said.
In an e-mail to members, Dr Ellen McCourt said: “JDC has agreed to continue to fight the imposition. We will be consulting you on the contract and on ongoing action.
“A majority of members did not support it — JDC and I acknowledge and respect this decision.
“We must understand fully what the key reservations that have been expressed are and how we best resolve these concerns.”
The health secretary announced that he is imposing the contract after BMA members voted 58% against accepting it.
Dr Johann Malawana resigned his position as JDC’s chair after the vote, and was replaced by Dr McCourt.
The junior doctors’ continued opposition to the contract raises the possibility of the return of the junior doctors’ strikes that hit the NHS earlier this year.
Dr McCourt accused the government of “storing up problems for the future” by choosing to impose the contract instead of “building on progress made” in talks.
She added: “The BMA has always been clear in its desire for a negotiated end to this dispute and I am committed to delivering on this.”
(Image c. Ben Birchall from PA Wire/ Press Association Images)
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