BMA Demands Removal of Threat for Imposition of Contract on Doctors In Training

by Benson Agoha | Health

The British Medical Association has responded to a letter from the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, accepting an offer to talk on the concerns of Junior Doctors in the hope of avoiding a planned series of strikes scheduled to begin from December 1, 2015.



* Credit: via Twitter/BMA

But the BMA said for discussion to begin, Mr Hunt must remove his threat to impose a contract on doctors in training.

In a statement published on their website, the BMA said though government has agreed to conciliation talks with junior doctors, it still needs to remove the threat of imposition of contract in order to defer industrial action next week.

According to the statement, BMA Chair, Dr Mark Porter has confirmed readiness to begin discussions as soon as possible, once the threat is removed.

The statement published today read and credited to the BMA Chair said: "It is encouraging that Mr Hunt has made a significant shift in accepting the BMA offer of conciliatory talks through Acas, finally recognising the fact that trust has broken down between junior doctors and the Government."

"However, junior doctors and the public, who by now will be used to Mr Hunt’s political game playing, will not be surprised that he has waited until now to do the right thing."

"We hope to start these talks as soon as possible in order to reach a collaborative agreement for the benefit of patients and the NHS."

"Importantly, Mr Hunt must finally remove his threat of imposition to defer Tuesday’s industrial action."

A response from the Health Department is awaited.