A Nottingham junior doctors’ representative has welcomed a ‘breakthorugh’ deal between medics and the Government.
The British Medical Association and health secretary Jeremy Hunt have come to an agreement on a controversial new contract after eight days of talks.
It could bring to an end a series of strikes which have seen doctors withdraw care, including action which saw them refuse to provide emergency cover last month.
Both Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre have been forced to cancel thousands of planned operations and outpatients’ appointments because of the walk-outs.
The potential solution will now be put to a referendum of the association’s 40,000 members at the beginning of July.
A provisional date of May 31 has been set for more details of the contract to be revealed to the public with a countrywide roadshow taking place in the first two weeks of June to explain the contract further to health professionals.
Chun Hong, who used to work as an orthopaedic registrar at the Queen’s Medical Centre, and has organised several Nottingham protests over the contract, said the news was “great to hear” after months of deadlock.
“I think this is a real breakthrough,” he said.
“I don’t think there will be an overwhelming majority gained upon the agreement but time will tell.”
Details released of the proposed contract so far
- Basic pay rise to be reduced from 13.5 per cent to between 10 per cent and 11 per cent
- A system of supplements will be paid depending on how many weekends a doctor works over a year
- Extra pay for night shifts to be reduced from 50 per cent to 37 per cent
- Extra support available for doctors who take time out, such as maternity leave, so that they can catch up on training
- The deal remains ‘cost neutral’ which means the government will not be putting in any extra money
Mr Hong added the contract needs to be “carefully combed” before any decisions are made.
He said: “This is something that needs careful consideration because this will affect junior doctors not just for the next year or so but for the next ten and beyond.
“This is why the legal and financial aspects and implications of the contract need to be looked at in detail.
“The exact terms and conditions and further details are set to be released at the end of the month but this will give time before the vote to digest the full information.”
The association’s junior doctors committee chairman Johann Malawana said: “I also believe this represents the best and final way of resolving the dispute and this is what I will be saying to junior doctors in the weeks leading up to the referendum on the new contract.”
Mr Hunt tweeted: “This landmark agreement will help deliver a safer seven day NHS and address wider frustrations over working conditions. Great news for patients.”
