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Junior doctors' row: BMA fears 'uphill struggle' to sell deal | Junior doctors' row: BMA fears 'uphill struggle' to sell deal |
(35 minutes later) | |
Junior doctors' leaders fear they could face an "uphill struggle" to convince the profession to accept the new contract agreed with ministers. | Junior doctors' leaders fear they could face an "uphill struggle" to convince the profession to accept the new contract agreed with ministers. |
It was announced on Wednesday that the two sides had reached a deal after talks at conciliation service Acas. | It was announced on Wednesday that the two sides had reached a deal after talks at conciliation service Acas. |
The terms will now be put to a vote of more than 40,000 BMA members in June. | The terms will now be put to a vote of more than 40,000 BMA members in June. |
But there are fears at the union that the profession could reject the deal despite it believing it is the "best and final" way out of the row. | But there are fears at the union that the profession could reject the deal despite it believing it is the "best and final" way out of the row. |
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called it a "historic agreement" and a "win-win" for the government and junior doctors. | Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called it a "historic agreement" and a "win-win" for the government and junior doctors. |
'Accept terms' | 'Accept terms' |
And a host of NHS leaders have already come out to urge junior doctors sign up to it, but there has been some negative reaction on social media from frontline doctors. | And a host of NHS leaders have already come out to urge junior doctors sign up to it, but there has been some negative reaction on social media from frontline doctors. |
The British Medical Association has said it will be urging members to accept the terms and will be explaining why in a series of road shows with the profession in the coming weeks once the full contract is published. | |
Which side has won? | Which side has won? |
The revamped contract includes several major changes from the one which the government announced in February it would be imposing. These include: | |
BMA junior doctor leader Dr Johann Malawana said: "What has been agreed is a good deal for junior doctors and will ensure that they can continue to deliver high-quality care for patients." | BMA junior doctor leader Dr Johann Malawana said: "What has been agreed is a good deal for junior doctors and will ensure that they can continue to deliver high-quality care for patients." |
But behind the scenes there is a concern the BMA may not be able to convince the profession and it could be an "uphill struggle" given the strength of feeling among the frontline. | But behind the scenes there is a concern the BMA may not be able to convince the profession and it could be an "uphill struggle" given the strength of feeling among the frontline. |
There is also frustration at what the BMA sees as aggressive briefing from government following the announcement on Wednesday. | There is also frustration at what the BMA sees as aggressive briefing from government following the announcement on Wednesday. |
Analysis | Analysis |
The fact that something has been agreed is a major breakthrough, but this dispute is still a long way from being over. The problem the BMA faces is that emotions are running so high. | The fact that something has been agreed is a major breakthrough, but this dispute is still a long way from being over. The problem the BMA faces is that emotions are running so high. |
The profession has been incredibly united throughout. Some 98% voted in favour of taking strike action last autumn and whenever union leaders have taken soundings since, the overwhelming sense has been that doctors have wanted to fight on. If this hadn't been the case the leadership would probably have agreed a deal long before now. | The profession has been incredibly united throughout. Some 98% voted in favour of taking strike action last autumn and whenever union leaders have taken soundings since, the overwhelming sense has been that doctors have wanted to fight on. If this hadn't been the case the leadership would probably have agreed a deal long before now. |
The BMA leadership is hoping as the weeks pass and they get a chance to explain the contract and doctors read it for themselves ahead of the vote they will come to share the view that it is the best way forward. Perhaps not better (in terms of weekend pay) than the existing contract, but at the very least an improvement on what was going to be imposed. | The BMA leadership is hoping as the weeks pass and they get a chance to explain the contract and doctors read it for themselves ahead of the vote they will come to share the view that it is the best way forward. Perhaps not better (in terms of weekend pay) than the existing contract, but at the very least an improvement on what was going to be imposed. |
Read more from Nick | Read more from Nick |
Follow Nick on Twitter | Follow Nick on Twitter |
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health president Prof Neena Modi, who was one of the most vocal critics of the government's decision to impose the contract, said she wanted to see a "positive outcome" in the vote. | Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health president Prof Neena Modi, who was one of the most vocal critics of the government's decision to impose the contract, said she wanted to see a "positive outcome" in the vote. |
And Stephen Dalton, of the NHS Confederation, which represents health managers, said he was pleased an agreement had been reached, adding "we very much hope" doctors support the new package. | And Stephen Dalton, of the NHS Confederation, which represents health managers, said he was pleased an agreement had been reached, adding "we very much hope" doctors support the new package. |
The government has refused to be drawn on what it will do if doctors reject the deal, although it did not rule out imposing it. | The government has refused to be drawn on what it will do if doctors reject the deal, although it did not rule out imposing it. |
Mr Hunt told the BBC the deal was "very good for doctors", while the government had secured its "important red lines for delivering a safer seven-day service". | Mr Hunt told the BBC the deal was "very good for doctors", while the government had secured its "important red lines for delivering a safer seven-day service". |
Asked if he took some responsibility for lengthy dispute, he said: "I don't think you can go through what we've been through in the last 10 months and say that everyone hasn't got lessons to learn, including the health secretary." | Asked if he took some responsibility for lengthy dispute, he said: "I don't think you can go through what we've been through in the last 10 months and say that everyone hasn't got lessons to learn, including the health secretary." |
Mr Hunt said he understood there was a "lot of anger" about issues which "extend well beyond their contract", such as training. | Mr Hunt said he understood there was a "lot of anger" about issues which "extend well beyond their contract", such as training. |
Speaking later in the House of Commons, he said the dispute had been a "matter of great regret". | Speaking later in the House of Commons, he said the dispute had been a "matter of great regret". |
Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander said the deal proved an agreement had been "possible all along". | Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander said the deal proved an agreement had been "possible all along". |
"It's sad that it took an all-out strike of junior doctors to get the government back to the table," she said. | "It's sad that it took an all-out strike of junior doctors to get the government back to the table," she said. |
Timeline of the dispute | Timeline of the dispute |
December 2012 - The government invites the BMA for talks over new contract | December 2012 - The government invites the BMA for talks over new contract |
October 2014 - BMA withdraws from talks | October 2014 - BMA withdraws from talks |
July 2015 - Independent pay review body publishes recommendations for a new contract | July 2015 - Independent pay review body publishes recommendations for a new contract |
August 2015 - BMA refuses to re-enter talks | August 2015 - BMA refuses to re-enter talks |
November 2015 - The government makes contract offer to junior doctors and BMA announces strikes | November 2015 - The government makes contract offer to junior doctors and BMA announces strikes |
December 2015/January 2016 - Talks re-start at conciliation service Acas and strike for 1 December called off | December 2015/January 2016 - Talks re-start at conciliation service Acas and strike for 1 December called off |
January 2016 - First of four strikes, involving emergency cover being provided, is held | January 2016 - First of four strikes, involving emergency cover being provided, is held |
February 2016 - Ministers announce imposition of contract following second strike | February 2016 - Ministers announce imposition of contract following second strike |
April 2016 - First-ever all-out strike by doctors held in the history of the NHS | April 2016 - First-ever all-out strike by doctors held in the history of the NHS |
May 2016 - Talks restart after intervention by leaders at the royal colleges of medicine, leading to a deal being agreed at Acas | May 2016 - Talks restart after intervention by leaders at the royal colleges of medicine, leading to a deal being agreed at Acas |
June 2016 - Ballot of junior doctors begins over whether they should accept the deal, result expected in early July | |
August 2016 - Roll-out of the new contract starts for those starting their first job in the NHS after medical school | |
October 2016 - August 2017 - Most of the rest of the profession moves on to the contract | |
Are you a junior doctor? What do you think about the proposed deal? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you a junior doctor? What do you think about the proposed deal? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |