29th March 2016
Following the government’s threat to impose a contract on junior doctors, with strike talks by the BMA, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has urged both parties to back down. The statement issued called the situation an ‘unprecedented crisis for the NHS’, and was backed by all medical royal college presidents. Both sides have been urged to renegotiate, with the head of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee [JDC] calling this a ‘sensible idea’. It comes after the BMA announced it would hold an all-out strike on 26th and 27th April, in which junior doctors would not provide emergency care.
The colleges’ statement said: ‘This is a time of unprecedented crisis for the NHS. With this in mind and in the spirit of placing patient welfare first and foremost we are writing in response to the escalation of the junior doctor’s dispute in England. We call on both sides in the dispute to step back from the brink by suspending imposition of the contract and the all-out strike and urge a return to negotiations. We believe that this is essential if the current impasse is to be broken and progress made in resolving this extremely damaging stand-off for the benefit of all NHS stakeholders, particularly our patients and trainees.’
JDC chair Dr Johann Malawana tweeted: “Sensible idea. Suspension of imposition [and] action best for all parties.” RCGP chair Dr Maureen Baker was ‘shocked’ that striking action was considered. She too has urged both sides to “get back round the table to find a resolution.” She said: “As stated in the GMC guidance, the safety of our patients is paramount and we expect doctors and NHS managers to work together to put in place alternative arrangements to ensure that anyone who needs emergency care receives it.”
Although it has yet to publish the final terms of the new junior doctor contract, the government has said it will impose the removal of ‘unsociable hours’ pay premiums for Saturdays and weekday evenings.
Junior doctors are planning a 48-hour walk-out on 6th April and, for the first time in the NHS’ history, a full withdrawal of labour on the 26th and 27th of April.