latest health care news

11.11.16

Junior doctors lift mandate to strike over new contract

Junior doctors’ leaders have called off the threat of further strikes and promised to work with the government to oversee the introduction of a new contract.

Following a meeting of the BMA junior doctors committee (JDC) on Saturday, Dr Peter Campbell, the new interim chair, said that the union had lifted its mandate, meaning that further industrial action cannot take place without another ballot.

The BMA led five separate strikes between February and April this year in protest at the contract, which offers reduced rates of out-of-hours pay in order to facilitate the government’s promise of a seven-day NHS.

Recently, the BMA also called an unprecedented programme of five-day strikes in protest at the contract imposition which was then suspended, while junior doctors also lost a High Court challenge over the contract.

Dr Campbell said: “With the contract being introduced as existing contracts expire, we believe the best way of achieving the best outcome for all our members is to work with the government and NHS Employers to monitor the implementation of the contract and raise additional issues.

“JDC agreed that this is the best way to ensure that the interests of our members are safeguarded and gives us the best chance to hold the government and NHS Employers to their commitment that the contract will ensure safe working hours, will meet juniors doctors’ training needs and that the programme of work led by Health Education England to address wider concerns about training is taken forward.”

But in a Facebook post, the Junior Doctors Alliance, a pressure group of BMA members, said the decision was made without “any discussion with the mass membership of thousands of junior doctors who voted overwhelmingly to reject the deal the BMA had negotiated earlier this year, and without any openness about how it reached this decision”.

It added that it would “continue to work within and through the BMA to urge them to best represent their members”.

A DH spokesperson told NHE it is welcome news for patients that the BMA has now completely called off industrial action.

(Image c. Ben Birchall from PA Wire and Press Association Images)

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an NHE columnist? If so, click here.

 

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

featured articles

View all News

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us throu more > more last word articles >

health service focus

View all News

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental ... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual... more >

the scalpel's daily blog

Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

28/08/2020Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers & Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Confederation The common enemy of coronavirus united the public side by side wi... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >