Following ten days of talks, mediated by the conciliation service Acas, an agreement has been reached that will be put to a ballot of BMA members. Key points in the agreement are:

• Agreement to replace the current banding system for rewarding unsocial hours with payment for all work done to support seven day service delivery

• A series of new limits on working hours

• Replacing the proposed incremental pay system with a series of “nodal pay points” based on attainment and level of responsibility, rather than time served

These talks were seen very much as a final chance for the dispute to reach some kind of consensus, following a series of walkouts by junior doctors.

NHS Providers has welcomed the settlement, but has been clear that this is just the start of the process, and that more needs to be clarified. Feedback received from some members highlights it is also important that the impact of the new contract in terms of filling rotas, particularly in district general hospitals, is carefully considered. The full cost of implementing the negotiated settlement must be factored into the financial performance of what provider trusts are being asked to deliver.

“Everyone will now need to work together positively both to implement the negotiated settlement, and to address the wider non-contractual issues that have contributed to low morale among junior doctors.” Saffron Cordery