14.08.15
Junior doctors vote against re-entering ‘unacceptable’ contract negotiations
The British Medical Association’s (BMA’s) UK junior doctor committee has voted not to re-enter contract negotiations with NHS Employers, claiming the current offer is “unacceptable”.
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.
“But be in no doubt: if we can’t negotiate, we are ready to impose a new contract.”
The BMA stated 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.
It was also suggested that the contract would remove “vital” safeguards which discourage employers from making junior doctors work dangerously long hours, and in doing so protect both patient and doctor safety. Additionally, pay would no longer match with the experience junior doctors’ gain through their training.
Dr Kitty Mohan, BMA junior doctor committee co-chair, said: “The UK government seems quite oblivious to the fact that junior doctors care for their patients all day, all night, seven days a week. And that, despite the safeguards in place, we still hear examples of junior doctors working days on end or 90 hour weeks.
“Last October, after more than a year of negotiations, talks with the government stalled after it became clear they were prepared to see these safeguards diluted even further regardless of the consequences for patients and doctors. It has quickly become clear that the so-called negotiations offered by Jeremy Hunt last month in his ultimatum to junior doctors offer nothing to address those concerns.”
In response, NHS Employers said that the mid-September deadline is real so far as government ministers are concerned.
Danny Mortimer, CEO at NHS Employers, said: “It is disappointing to not at least attempt to reach an agreement. BMA consultant colleagues are still talking to us about reaching an agreement on reformed contracts to better meet the needs of patients while being safe for doctors – that is the way forward for junior doctors as well.”
He added that the proposed revision of the whole pay system includes higher rates of basic pay; a standard 40 hour week and a lower cap of no more than 72 hours work in any seven consecutive days; higher rates of pay for night work in return for more hours paid at standard rates; and improved pension benefits.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “We are disappointed that junior doctors have decided against re-entering negotiations.
“The independent DDRB made clear that the NHS needs an updated contract that puts patients first, increases basic pay for junior doctors and rewards those who work across all clinical specialities.
“We will reflect on the BMA’s comments but, as the secretary of state has made clear, we are determined to provide safe NHS care for patients and a fair deal for all NHS staff.”