Our opposition to the new proposed contract is supported by many other healthcare workers, because they understand the consequences for their own working conditions and for the future of the NHS.
The Royal Colleges (which ensure that doctors in each specialty have high quality training) have also voiced their opposition to this dangerous contract:
Statement from the Royal College of Physicians:
"...We are extremely concerned that the proposed new contract will damage the standard of care available to future patients..."
Statement from the The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland:
"...In addition to the impact on pay, working hours, rest periods and discouraging additional training, experience and research, there is the vital issue of morale..."
Statement from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
"...Instead there is now a significant chance of returning to the ‘bad old days’ of over-burdened junior doctors in danger of giving sub-standard care. This is unacceptable. If left unchallenged, the proposals could significantly compromise safety and the lives of mothers and babies in England..."
The Shadow Health Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has also expressed her concerns about what this proposed new contract might mean for patients, doctors and the NHS.
The most senior doctors in the NHS, the consultants, are also opposed to the proposed new doctors' contract. Many of them remember the 'bad old days' when doctors regularly worked 90+ hours a week,:
"The Government's proposals would be step backwards for patient safety, junior doctors' welfare and the NHS as a whole."
The BMA's Position (30th Sept 2015):
“We have consistently been clear that junior doctors are not prepared to agree contract changes that would risk patients’ safety and doctors’ wellbeing. The anger and frustration of doctors who attended the rally in London on Monday night were a clear demonstration of their determination.
“Until the Government is willing to give the BMA the concrete assurances we require we will continue with the action junior doctors are demanding.”
The NHS shouldn't be a political football, vulnerable to meddling every 5 years by politicians eager to score election points. So it's absolutely brilliant that some MPs, from across party divisions, have also voiced their opposition to this dangerous contract:
Heidi Alexander (Shadow Health Secretary): "With morale at rock-bottom, the NHS is already in the midst of a workforce crisis. ... But now the crisis could get even worse."
Helen Jones (Warrington North, Labour): "NHS staff have been badly treated by this Government. Since 2010 pay increases have been deliberately kept low... Services such as the NHS are a huge contributor to our economy. It is completely wrong that under this Government tax is cut for millionaires but dedicated NHS staff are not even entitled to a decent pay rise."
Sarah Woollaston (Totnes, Conservative; chairs the Health Select Committee): "After all, young people rarely choose a career in medicine because they are motivated by money. But the attempt to re-designate Saturdays up to 10pm as standard time, among many other changes that will result in some juniors facing significant cuts to their pay, has been the last straw."
Shona Robison (SNP Shadow Health Secretary): "Let’s be clear, this isn’t just about pay. It’s about longer working hours and the impact on patient safety. That is our concern about these proposals. Jeremy Hunt must think again. We need to work to attract more trainees into the profession."
Jillian Creasy (The Green Party Health Spokesperson): "The Green Party stands with junior doctors, and supports their plans for industrial action over the planned changes to their contracts. These changes would be detrimental to the health of both junior doctors, who already work very long hours, and patients, whose safety will put at risk."
The Royal Colleges (which ensure that doctors in each specialty have high quality training) have also voiced their opposition to this dangerous contract:
Statement from the Royal College of Physicians:
"...We are extremely concerned that the proposed new contract will damage the standard of care available to future patients..."
Statement from the The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland:
"...In addition to the impact on pay, working hours, rest periods and discouraging additional training, experience and research, there is the vital issue of morale..."
Statement from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
"...Instead there is now a significant chance of returning to the ‘bad old days’ of over-burdened junior doctors in danger of giving sub-standard care. This is unacceptable. If left unchallenged, the proposals could significantly compromise safety and the lives of mothers and babies in England..."
The Shadow Health Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has also expressed her concerns about what this proposed new contract might mean for patients, doctors and the NHS.
The most senior doctors in the NHS, the consultants, are also opposed to the proposed new doctors' contract. Many of them remember the 'bad old days' when doctors regularly worked 90+ hours a week,:
"The Government's proposals would be step backwards for patient safety, junior doctors' welfare and the NHS as a whole."
The BMA's Position (30th Sept 2015):
“We have consistently been clear that junior doctors are not prepared to agree contract changes that would risk patients’ safety and doctors’ wellbeing. The anger and frustration of doctors who attended the rally in London on Monday night were a clear demonstration of their determination.
“Until the Government is willing to give the BMA the concrete assurances we require we will continue with the action junior doctors are demanding.”
The NHS shouldn't be a political football, vulnerable to meddling every 5 years by politicians eager to score election points. So it's absolutely brilliant that some MPs, from across party divisions, have also voiced their opposition to this dangerous contract:
Heidi Alexander (Shadow Health Secretary): "With morale at rock-bottom, the NHS is already in the midst of a workforce crisis. ... But now the crisis could get even worse."
Helen Jones (Warrington North, Labour): "NHS staff have been badly treated by this Government. Since 2010 pay increases have been deliberately kept low... Services such as the NHS are a huge contributor to our economy. It is completely wrong that under this Government tax is cut for millionaires but dedicated NHS staff are not even entitled to a decent pay rise."
Sarah Woollaston (Totnes, Conservative; chairs the Health Select Committee): "After all, young people rarely choose a career in medicine because they are motivated by money. But the attempt to re-designate Saturdays up to 10pm as standard time, among many other changes that will result in some juniors facing significant cuts to their pay, has been the last straw."
Shona Robison (SNP Shadow Health Secretary): "Let’s be clear, this isn’t just about pay. It’s about longer working hours and the impact on patient safety. That is our concern about these proposals. Jeremy Hunt must think again. We need to work to attract more trainees into the profession."
Jillian Creasy (The Green Party Health Spokesperson): "The Green Party stands with junior doctors, and supports their plans for industrial action over the planned changes to their contracts. These changes would be detrimental to the health of both junior doctors, who already work very long hours, and patients, whose safety will put at risk."