16.09.15
Reality is revised contract to be given to all junior doctors – NHS Employers
NHS Employers has said while it is “disappointed” the BMA’s junior doctors’ committee has decided not to re-enter contract negotiations, the “reality” is that a revised contract will be given to all junior doctors.
In July, the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, gave the BMA until September to negotiate on a new contract for junior doctors and consultants. However, he did warn: “There will now be six weeks to work with BMA union negotiators before a September decision point.”
Unfortunately, despite exploring the possibility of re-entering negotiations, the BMA has come to the conclusion this is not possible on junior contracts.
However, NHS Employers has stated the government’s timetable is “clear” and there will be the introduction of a new junior doctors’ contract from the August 2016 intake.
Paul Wallace, director of employment relations and reward at NHS Employers, said: “We remain disappointed not to have reached an agreement with the BMA junior doctors’ committee. The reality is a revised contract will be given to all junior doctors and we will continue to focus on that over a challenging timetable.”
The Department of Health has also confirmed that NHS Employers will work to prepare a new contract for August 2016.
The BMA has argued that the government should reverse its position on the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) recommendations, which they claim would extend routine working hours from 60 per week to 90.
Responding to the latest news the government will seek to impose a new contract on junior doctors from August 2016, Dr Andrew Collier, co-chair of the BMA junior doctor committee, said: “The BMA wants to deliver a contract that protects patient safety and is fair to both junior doctors and the health service as a whole. However we can only do this if the UK government and others are prepared to work collaboratively in a genuine negotiation.
“We listened to the vast majority of junior doctors who told us that the DDRB proposals are not acceptable. We remain committed to agreeing contract that protects against junior doctors routinely working long hours, delivers a fair system of pay, values the vital role of training and does not disadvantage those in flexible working.
“We have not received adequate assurance from the government that they are committed to achieving these goals. We urge the government not to impose a contract that is unsafe and unfair. We will resist a contract that is bad for patients, bad for junior doctors and bad for the NHS.”
Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said the challenge now is to “press ahead” with the “essential” reform of the junior doctors’ contract.
“We will do this in a way which engages directly with junior doctors,” he said.