Keeping Our Members Informed

The Workers of England Union strongly backs English junior doctors as the proposed policy changes will only affect them in England, not in Scotland or Wales. This unfair situation underscores why our Union was founded: we are the only Trade Union standing up for the English taxpayer. While we support key protections for junior doctors, we encourage our members to review the main points below.

The Deal They Turned Down: Key Points

• Night Shifts: Paid time and a half for hours worked between 9 pm and 7 am, Monday to Friday (new concession shifted from 10 pm to 9 pm).
• Weekend Rates: Paid time and a third for Sundays; time and a half for working at least one in three Saturdays (previously at normal rate).
• Saturday Guarantee: No junior doctor will work two consecutive Saturdays.
• Weekly Hour Cap: Maximum of 72 hours per week (down from the current 91 hours).
• Basic Salary Increase: An 11 per cent rise to offset reduced out-of-hours pay and longer normal working day.
• On-Call Rates: 10 per cent higher pay for home on-call in evenings and weekends (BMA demands at least 20 per cent; some hospitals pay up to 50 per cent).

Despite these concessions, the British Medical Association (BMA) argues that the overall package is worse than existing arrangements, which currently pay time and a half from 7 pm to 7 am and time and a third on all weekends.

Jeremy Hunt Accuses Doctors’ Union of Misinformation

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has accused the BMA of “spreading misinformation” and acting “totally irresponsibly” amid the ongoing junior doctors’ dispute. With three days to go before the second walkout of the year, Hunt claimed the union is “distorting facts” to win public support.

He insists the new contract is essential to deliver the Conservative manifesto pledge for a seven-day NHS. The BMA, however, warns the terms would require junior doctors to work more unsocial hours at regular pay rates.

Hunt stated the government is prepared to impose the contract if no agreement is reached, while the BMA countered that such actions are “scaring patients” and exacerbating staff shortages by driving medics abroad.

BMA’s Response and Labour’s Criticism

The BMA’s junior doctor committee chair, Dr Johann Malawana, argued that unprecedented numbers of junior doctors are considering leaving the NHS and warned that imposing a contract during a staffing crisis is counterproductive.

Labour dubbed the government’s handling of the dispute an “utter shambles,” accusing Hunt of behaving like a “recruiting sergeant for Australian hospitals” rather than protecting the NHS workforce.

Devolved Nations’ Recruitment Drive

The Scottish Government has launched a recruitment campaign encouraging English junior doctors to move north, highlighting the NHS in Scotland as an “exciting opportunity.” Scottish Health Secretary Shona Robison emphasised that junior doctors are “integral” to Scotland’s healthcare team.

Further Reading

• Understanding the Junior Doctors Dispute
• NHS Seven-Day Service Contracts Explained