Imposition or offer? Contract confusion deepens

  Health secretary Jeremy Hunt’s policy on the junior doctors' contract was in ‘complete disarray’ when he spoke of ‘imposing’ it after Government lawyers appeared to have changed tack on the language. A five-page letter from the Government's legal department to solicitors acting for a group of junior doctors speaks of ‘introducing’ and ‘approving the terms’ of the contract, but not imposing it. The Guardian newspaper later asked the Department of Health whether it was ‘imposing’ or ‘introducing’ the contract, and it confirmed the latter. On Monday in the Commons, Mr Hunt appeared to keep to this line. He said: ‘It has never been the Government’s plan to insist on changes to existing contracts, but only to offer new contracts as people change employer as they progress through training — this is something the secretary of state is entitled to do.’   On 'offer' As Mr Hunt’s version of the contract was the only one he intended to ‘offer’ to junior doctors, this caused an immediate reaction on social media. But just minutes later — after questioning from several MPs — Mr Hunt reverted to speaking about ‘imposition’ once again. He said: ‘Yes, we are imposing a new contract and we’re doing it with the greatest of regret.’ Mr Hunt also failed to explain the legal powers that allow him to impose the contract, e...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news