This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Seven in 10 junior doctors could leave NHS under new contract, survey finds
The Guardian is reporting that a total of 4,129 junior doctors responded to the survey, which was conducted using kwiksurveys.com for members of the junior doctors contract forum, a closed Facebook group of medial professionals.
The survey found that 71 per cent of respondents said they would leave the NHS if faced with the new contracts. 42 per cent said they would leave to work abroad, while 17.7 per cent said they would change career, as well as 11.7 per cent who said they would choose to work privately as a locum doctor. 28.6 per cent responded saying they would stay in the NHS.
The survey follows the on going dispute between Hunt and junior doctors. After a meeting with Dr Johann Malawana, chair of the junior doctors committee (JDC) at the British Medical Association (BMA), Hunt responded with a letter claiming that pay would not drop and that standard working hours will not be altered under new contracts. However, the letter seems to have done little to resolve the dispute, with around 20,000 junior doctors taking part in a rally last weekend in London.
Malawana said: “These figures paint a very worrying picture. They echo the outpouring of anger from junior doctors in recent weeks and show just how let down they feel by the government’s proposals.”
Dr Anne Warrington, who co-organised last weekend’s rally and the online survey, said: “Of the 70 per cent of doctors declaring their intention to leave the NHS if the contract goes ahead, only a small fraction need to follow through to deliver a catastrophic blow to the survival of the NHS as we know it. Patients will find their already understaffed A&E or GP practice stretched beyond the limit.”
The Department of Health has not responded directly to the survey, but maintains its stance that the BMA is misleading junior doctors. A spokesperson said: “We recognise the incredible contribution junior doctors make to the NHS week in, week out, which is why we want to reward them fairly while ensuring that patients get proper seven-day care.
“It is disappointing the BMA continues to mislead junior doctors on the proposals as we have already given absolute assurances that we are not going to save a penny from the junior doctors’ paybill, and will reduce the number of hours doctors are asked to work.”
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