Junior doctors’ contract agreement reached

The dispute between the government and the British Medical Association over the junior doctors' contract appears to be near an end after new terms were agreed.

Following ten days of intensive talks, a statement from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service setting out the terms of an agreement has been presented to the government and NHS employers, and to the BMA.

Both sides have had to make compromises to reach this conclusion, with the rise in basic pay having been reduced from the previous contract, in exchange for the promise of extra money for those working most frequently during weekends.

This deal has now been agreed by all parties as resolving the current dispute, subject to securing the support of BMA junior doctor members in a referendum.

Dr Johann Malawana, the BMA's junior doctor committee chair, described the agreement as "a good deal for junior doctors and will ensure that they can continue to deliver high-quality care for patients".

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt, meanwhile, said the deal marks "a definitive step forward for patients, for doctors and for the NHS as a whole".