This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/junior-doctors-contract-7-day-nhs-inquiry-tom-watson-jeremy-hunt-a7205796.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Junior doctors' contract should be suspended after 7-day NHS revelations, Tom Watson says Junior doctors' contract should be suspended after 7-day NHS revelations, Tom Watson says
(about 3 hours later)
The controversial new junior doctors’ contract must be suspended pending an inquiry into damning claims that plans for a 7-day NHS are ridden with danger, the Deputy Labour Leader has said.The controversial new junior doctors’ contract must be suspended pending an inquiry into damning claims that plans for a 7-day NHS are ridden with danger, the Deputy Labour Leader has said.
Tom Watson demanded an inquiry after leaked papers outlined a string of potential problems with the 7-day proposals cited by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt as the key reason for imposing the contract.Tom Watson demanded an inquiry after leaked papers outlined a string of potential problems with the 7-day proposals cited by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt as the key reason for imposing the contract.
It comes after internal documents suggested the NHS has too few staff and too little money to deliver the government’s plan.It comes after internal documents suggested the NHS has too few staff and too little money to deliver the government’s plan.
In a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, Mr Watson said: “The seven-day NHS policy has nonetheless been used to justify imposition of a new contract upon junior doctors.In a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, Mr Watson said: “The seven-day NHS policy has nonetheless been used to justify imposition of a new contract upon junior doctors.
“That is wholly unacceptable, given the current paucity of evidence underpinning the policy.”“That is wholly unacceptable, given the current paucity of evidence underpinning the policy.”
He added: “Imposition should be suspended and doctors allowed to remain on their current contract until such time as you can demonstrate the evidence justifying the policy.”He added: “Imposition should be suspended and doctors allowed to remain on their current contract until such time as you can demonstrate the evidence justifying the policy.”
He also calls for a full inquiry preferably carried out by the National  Institute for Health and Care Excellence.He also calls for a full inquiry preferably carried out by the National  Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Confidential Department of Health papers drawn up for Mr Hunt in late July and recently passed to the  Guardian and Channel 4 News show that senior civil servants trying to deliver a key Tory election pledge have uncovered 13 major “risks”.Confidential Department of Health papers drawn up for Mr Hunt in late July and recently passed to the  Guardian and Channel 4 News show that senior civil servants trying to deliver a key Tory election pledge have uncovered 13 major “risks”.
They said the biggest danger is “workforce overload”, a lack of available GPs, hospital consultants and other health professionals They said the biggest danger is “workforce overload”, a lack of available GPs, hospital consultants and other health professionals 
Juniors doctors have held eight days of strikes to protest against a new contract which Mr Hunt claims is needed to deliver the service, but that they claim ignores the need for extra doctors to enable the expansion of care.Juniors doctors have held eight days of strikes to protest against a new contract which Mr Hunt claims is needed to deliver the service, but that they claim ignores the need for extra doctors to enable the expansion of care.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Over the past six years, eight independent studies have set out the evidence for a “weekend effect” - unacceptable variation in care across the week - and this Government is the first to tackle this issue. The benefits of a seven day service for patients are wide ranging - a safer NHS, more choice and better access to services, including extended GP hours, but we make absolutely no apology for prioritising patient safety - as the public would expect any responsible Government to do.”