'Lift imposition so talks can resume'

The BMA has written to health secretary Jeremy Hunt to restate the firm commitment of junior doctors to resolve the contract dispute through negotiation. Following two days of industrial action, BMA junior doctors committee chair Johann Malawana reiterated his objective of breaking the impasse over the contract, but said that it was impossible with ‘the threat of imposition hanging over our heads’. In the letter, Dr Malawana also takes issue with Mr Hunt’s claim that the contract is all but agreed. He lists a number of unresolved issues, including protection against working excessive hours, the impact of shift patterns, and the ability of trusts to vary contract terms unilaterally. He adds: ‘These sit in the broader context of morale, quality of training and work-life balance, issues critical to the current and future generations of junior doctors.’ Dr Malawana says junior doctors provide high-quality care across seven days in the NHS, and that it is counter-productive to be portrayed by the Government as a ‘road block’. Instead, he calls on Mr Hunt to work with the BMA on addressing the challenges the NHS faces with a motivated, well-trained workforce. He concludes: ‘So, my offer still stands: lift imposition so that talks can resume. I will meet you and your team at any time to deliver the above.’ Read the letter
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news