This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Junior doctors rally over contract dispute
The British Medical Association (BMA) says the plans will lead to a drop in junior doctors’ salaries. However, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has accused the BMA of misleading doctors and says the proposals would reduce their maximum weekly working hours.
The BMA has rejected Hunt’s claims and said the rally in Westminster was a 'wake-up call for ministers'. Protests were also staged in Belfast and Nottingham.
Critics say the new contract involves pay cuts of up to 30 per cent, with ‘normal hours’ extended to 07:00-22:00, every day except Sunday.
Mr Hunt contended that the scheme would actually benefit doctors by reducing their maximum weekly working hours. Furthermore, the Health Secretary said he wanted to remove financial penalties ‘that force hospitals to roster less at weekends’ and was willing to negotiate over safeguards that will stop doctors from working too many hours.
He said: ”This is a good deal for doctors. We are reducing the maximum hours a doctor can be asked to work from 91 to 72 hours [a week]. We're stopping doctors being asked to work for five nights in a row."
The BMA is demanding that the government withdraw its threat to impose the new contact in England from next year. Scotland and Wales have both decided to remain with the old contract, while Northern Ireland has yet to decide.
Before the London rally, Dr Johann Malawana, chairman of the BMA junior doctors’ committee, said: "The truth is that the junior doctor contract is in no way a barrier to seven-day services, with the vast majority of junior doctors routinely providing care to patients 24/7."
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