Nine NHS bosses withdraw support for Hunt over imposition of junior doctors' contracts

Nine health trust bosses have withdrawn their support for Jeremy Hunt's plan for new junior doctors' contracts in England after it was announced they were to be introduced despite the failure to reach an agreement with the British Medical Association

The names of 20 NHS bosses in England were attached to a letter advising the government to do "whatever it deems necessary" to break the deadlock with medics.

Now at least nine say they never supported the idea of forcing junior doctors to accept new contracts and did not back the Health Secretary's move.

One said she was not even aware her name was on the letter and had asked for it to be removed.

A number say they support the Government's contract offer but do not back doctors having to accept it.

Claire Murdoch, head of the Central and North West London NHS FT, said she was not aware that her name was on the letter until it was published, and immediately asked for it to be removed.

Sir Andrew Cash, head of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (FT), said: "I support the improved offer made this week as fair and reasonable, but I do not support imposition".

Andrew Foster, of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS FT, said: "I have not supported contract imposition. I have supported the view that the offer made is reasonable."