Phased introduction of junior doctors contract will help end uncertainty faced by NHS trusts
06 July 2016
- The government has confirmed that it will press on with a phased introduction of the new junior doctor contract
- The decision follows its rejection by junior doctors earlier this week
- We say that this will help to end the uncertainty faced by NHS foundation trusts and trusts, who now need to work with their local junior doctors to implement the contract effectively
In May, the government and NHS Employers reached an agreement with the British Medical Association on a new contract for junior doctors. However, in a ratification ballot, BMA members voted 58% to 42% against accepting the deal.
Hunt said that a phased introduction of the contract that was negotiated with the BMA will begin in October this year for more senior obstetrics trainees; the in November and December for Foundation Year 1 doctors taking up new posts and Foundation Year 2 doctors on the same rotas as their current contracts expire. More specialities will transition in the same way to the new contract between February and April next year, with remaining trainees expected to be on the new contract by October 2017.
Commenting on the government's decision, Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said:
“It is deeply regrettable that we find ourselves in this situation but the time has come to end the uncertainty which has dragged on for too long.
"Junior doctors have raised a number of legitimate and deeply held concerns during the negotiations but we believe the final offer that was put to them, as negotiated by the British Medical Association, was fair and reasonable.
It is deeply regrettable that we find ourselves in this situation but the time has come to end the uncertainty which has dragged on for too long.
"The government’s decision to announce a phased introduction of the contract will help to end the uncertainty faced by NHS foundation trusts and trusts – they will now need to work with their local junior doctors to implement the contract as effectively as possible.”