Doctors go to the ballots in row over new contracts

Thousands of junior doctors protested in October Credit: PA

Junior doctors have gone to the ballot box to vote on potential industrial action, in an ongoing row over planned changes to their contracts.

Video report by ITV News political correspondent Emily Morgan:

Here's what you need to know:

  • What is this dispute all about?

Jeremy Hunt wants to change hospital doctors' working contracts as part of a series of proposals to create a truly seven-day-a-week NHS.

He claims that the lack of senior staff working in hospitals at the weekend means that patients are 15% more likely to die if they are admitted on a Sunday compared with a Wednesday.

He is also pledging a cutback in the lucrative overtime payments consultants can get.

More than 20,000 protested in October against the proposed changes to junior doctor contracts and their anger has sparked social media campaigns such as #ImInWorkJeremy.

  • What has the health secretary offered?

In the latest development in an increasingly bitter row over working hours, Mr Hunt wrote directly to every trainee in England, setting out details of a proposed new contract as the British Medical Association (BMA) announced plans to hold a ballot on strike action.

He offered a basic pay rise of 11 per cent and a promise to restrict hours to "make care safer for patients".

Under the new proposals the average working week will still be 48 hours, and the maximum will be reduced from 91 to 72.

Although Mr Hunt is standing by plans to stop the whole weekend being treated as "anti-social hours", he has made a limited concession by offering additional pay after 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays - rather than 10pm as previously mooted.

  • How have health unions reacted to the plans?

Not very well.

Johann Malawana, chairman of the BMA junior doctors committee, condemned the way the offer had been made at the last moment ahead of the ballot on industrial action.

File photo of a junior doctor Credit: PA

He accused Mr Hunt of "megaphone diplomacy" as he heavily criticised the manner in which the row has been handled.

And junior doctors' representatives said there could be no meaningful negotiation over the new proposals unless Mr Hunt withdrew his threat to impose the new contract on medics without agreement.

  • What would the 'strike' mean for patients?

If those junior doctors balloted vote in favour of industrial action, the BMA has said they would stage two strikes and only deal with emergencies during a third day of action in December.

If there is a yes vote, junior doctors will only provide emergency care for 24 hours from 8am on December 1, followed by full walkouts from 8am to 5pm on December 8 and 16.

The BMA described the planned action as a "last resort".

  • What has Jeremy Hunt said about his offer?

Speaking to ITV News, the health secretary defended the offer, saying it would "offer the best care for patients".

He said only 500 doctors out of 45,000, about one percent, will see a pay cut due to the proposals and that changes had to be made as the Conservatives promised a seven-day NHS in their manifesto.

"I think, when they look at the details of what we're saying, most doctors will say that's the kind of NHS they want to work in as well," Hunt said.