Commenting on reports that the UK government plans to impose a new contract on junior doctors in England from August 2016, Prof Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said:
“The RCPE notes with significant concern reports that the UK Government will be imposing a new contract on junior doctors in August 2016, despite junior doctors having raised concerns that the proposals are neither fair nor safe.
“Imposing a contract under these circumstances will not only impact upon their morale at a time when there are increasing pressures on their role, but will also hamper our efforts to deliver a world-class and sustainable health service.
“It is essential that we retain junior doctors as they are the future of our workforce. The Government must work collaboratively with the sector to ensure that junior doctors are valued for the work that they do. Their experience and concerns need to be heard otherwise we will face an exodus of doctors looking for better contractual conditions overseas. This will only increase our growing reliance on locums and the high costs associated with this.
“We welcome the assurances from the Scottish Government that they will not go down this route and will continue negotiations in due course with junior doctors to achieve an appropriate contract.”
Dr Rosemary Hollick, Chair of the RCPE’s Trainees and Members’ Committee, also said:
"Morale is at an all-time low and we are facing a crisis in the recruitment and retention of doctors. Imposing contractual changes upon junior doctors will only serve to exacerbate this.
“By removing the safeguards that facilitate a safe and supportive environment in which to train, these changes will further devalue the role of doctors in training and directly compromise patient safety and quality of care."
ENDS
Contact: Lisa Rooke, RCPE - 0131 247 3688 / 07717 895628 / l.rooke@rcpe.ac.uk
Notes to Editors
