Junior doctors reject Government’s new contract and threaten fresh strikes
They voted to reject a contract deal between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Government
JUNIOR doctors threatened fresh strikes last night after voting to reject a new contract.
They voted to reject a contract deal between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Government.
In a blow to the BMA, which had encouraged doctors to agree the new terms, 58 per cent voted against the proposed contract while 42 per cent voted in favour.
Ministers are now expected to impose it, raising the prospect of further industrial action.
The BMA held more than 130 roadshows across England to show doctors and medical students details of the new contract.
Some 68 per cent of those eligible turned out to vote on the deal - some 37,000 junior doctors and medical students.
Following the result, Dr Johann Malawana, head of the BMA's junior doctors' committee, announced his resignation.
He said the vote was a "demonstration of just how appallingly frontline staff have been treated and undermined" and accused the Government of overseeing a "fundamental breakdown in trust".
He said: "Having spoken to many junior doctors across the country in recent weeks it was clear that, while some felt the new contract represented an improved offer, others had reservations about what it would mean for their working lives, their patients and the future delivery of care in the NHS.
"There was also considerable anger and mistrust towards the Government’s handling of this dispute.
"These concerns need to be fully addressed before any new contract can come into effect."
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called the result “extremely disappointing”. He said: “Only 40 per cent of those eligible actually voted against this contract.”
But a senior BMA source said: “Junior doctors did not feel the new terms adequately addressed their concerns.”
GP trainee Dr Francesca Silman, of Justice for Health, said there would be talks on more strikes. She said: “We will challenge imposition in the courts.”
David Cameron’s spokesman said: “It is extremely disappointing, particularly when it was agreed with and endorsed by the leader of the junior doctors' committee of the BMA and supported by senior NHS leaders.
“We now need to consider the outcome and consider the options, including introducing the contract.”
Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health, said: “The result is yet another sorry episode in the saga of the Government’s mishandled negotiations with junior doctors.
“It is disappointing that several months on, we still do not have a contract in place that junior doctors feel able to support.
“We need a government that can command the support of patients and professionals in the NHS and this Government has shown it can do neither.
“Waiting lists are growing, hospitals are in crisis and patient care is going backwards.