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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/12/junior-doctors-rebuff-jeremy-hunt-over-contract-negotiations
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| Junior doctors rebuff Jeremy Hunt over contract negotiations | Junior doctors rebuff Jeremy Hunt over contract negotiations |
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| Junior doctors’ leaders have rebuffed Jeremy Hunt’s attempts to draw them back into contract negotiations, saying they want an explicit reassurance that their own proposals on working hours stand a realistic chance of being included in the package on pay and conditions. | Junior doctors’ leaders have rebuffed Jeremy Hunt’s attempts to draw them back into contract negotiations, saying they want an explicit reassurance that their own proposals on working hours stand a realistic chance of being included in the package on pay and conditions. |
| A letter from the British Medical Association (BMA), the doctors’ trade union , to the health secretary says there must be contractual safeguards against working an “unsafe” number of hours and “proper recognition” that working all-day Saturdays and late evenings should attract pay premiums because of the unsocial hours. | |
| Hunt wants to extend the hours when doctors in England are paid the basic rate, from the current 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, to 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday. Last week he offered to reconsider Saturday working, but Monday’s letter (see below) from the BMA junior doctors committee shows that that proposal was insufficient. | |
| The BMA has already decided to ballot members over industrial action, including strikes – although there are no details about when this ballot might happen – and grassroots protests are growing. Junior doctors are expected to demonstrate on Saturday against the proposed new contract, which many say would leave them out of pocket. | The BMA has already decided to ballot members over industrial action, including strikes – although there are no details about when this ballot might happen – and grassroots protests are growing. Junior doctors are expected to demonstrate on Saturday against the proposed new contract, which many say would leave them out of pocket. |
| A letter from Johann Malawana, the committee chairman, also challenges Hunt on his promise that most junior doctors would be “at least as well paid” as they were now. The proposed contract, says Malawana, “means that some junior doctors will, in fact, see a reduction”. This must be clarified, the BMA says. | A letter from Johann Malawana, the committee chairman, also challenges Hunt on his promise that most junior doctors would be “at least as well paid” as they were now. The proposed contract, says Malawana, “means that some junior doctors will, in fact, see a reduction”. This must be clarified, the BMA says. |
| The BMA withdrew from negotiations with NHS employers last year, although its leaders met Hunt less formally the week before last. | The BMA withdrew from negotiations with NHS employers last year, although its leaders met Hunt less formally the week before last. |
| Malawana makes clear that there is little chance of any real movement unless Hunt withdraws a threat to impose the new contracts, which would take effect from August next year. | |
| He writes: “I have spoken to many junior doctors across the country, who are telling me that they are becoming increasingly disillusioned and I believe this may have an impact on the career choices they are making in the UK and globally. | |
| “Our concern is that this puts in jeopardy your manifesto commitment to deliver a seven-day NHS.” |