Government confirms plan to impose new junior doctors’ contract

The government will be imposing a new contract on NHS junior doctors after failing to reach a compromise agreement with the British Medical Association (BMA).

In a statement to Parliament, health secretary Jeremy Hunt has stated that he has been left with no choice but to take this step, due to a lack of willingness by the BMA to compromise, as well as the urgent need to address lower standards of care provided at weekends.

Mr Hunt explained that he is choosing to impose the contract to "end the uncertainty" for the NHS, while maintaining his stance that it is "safer for patients and fair and reasonable for junior doctors".

However, the BMA has condemned the government for its "bullying" approach to the negotiations and its inability to heed the concerns of health professionals, even in the face of widespread industrial action.

It continues to maintain that the new contract will remove essential safety measures that stop junior doctors from working excessive hours, potentially endangering staff and patients alike, while alienating workers who may seek opportunities elsewhere instead.

BMA junior doctors committee chair Johann Malawana said: "The health secretary is ploughing ahead with proposals that are fundamentally unfair."