Junior doctors contract deadlock ends as new deal is struck
THE bitter deadlock in the junior doctors’ dispute over new contracts was finally broken last night.
The contract dispute between government and junior doctors looks to be over now
A deal on conditions was reached by the British Medical Association and the Government, with both sides claiming to have won concessions.
The breakthrough came after 10 days of heated talks and thousands of cancelled appointments and operations.
Central to the row was the time when premium rates of pay kick in for weekend working.
Under the deal – which the junior doctors are to vote on next month – Saturdays and Sundays will be paid at a normal rate between 9am and 9pm, with extra pay overnight seven days a week.
This is a significant shift on the BMA’s previous position.
A deal on conditions was reached by the British Medical Association and the Government
To compensate for losing money at weekends doctors will receive a percentage of their salary according to how many they work in a year.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the deal “delivers important changes to the junior doctors’ contract”.
Dr Johann Malawana of the BMA said the agreement was 'the best and final way' of resolving the row
Jeremy Hunt said the deal 'delivers important changes to the junior doctors’ contract'
Dr Johann Malawana of the BMA said the agreement was “the best and final way” of resolving the row.
Last week a poll showed almost half the NHS’s junior docs would quit if the original contract was imposed.