Health Minister refuses interview after ITV speaks to junior doctors

ITV were hoping to interview Government health minister Ben Gummer who has been on a two day visit to the region, but he's now refused to speak with us after we interviewed junior doctors in Cornwall.>The doctors in question had tracked down Mr Gummer, as he made a brief stop at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, and put their concerns to him about their current working conditions and future. >But after they told us what they told him, the health minister then wouldn't come on this programme.

The Government say that Mr Gummer was unable to make the interview since they were on a 'tight schedule'.

The region's junior doctors have stood on the picket lines to make their point. But when Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt imposed a new contract upon them, it was clear to them they hadn't had their voices heard.

So when doctors in Truro discovered that Mr Hunt's deputy was visiting Cornwall, they tracked him down and he agreed to listen to their concerns.

Dr Sophie Welchman also asked Mr Gummer if childcare would be provided when the new contract comes into force.

But after we then spoke to doctors, Mr Gummer pulled out of our interview.

Junior doctors in the region say they're feeling the pressure. One says patient safety has always been at the heart of their concerns over the new contract.

Junior doctors will now have to wait for the contracts to be published to see in detail how they'll all be affected.