Doctors urge PM to call off contract imposition

  Doctors leaders have written to prime minister David Cameron urging him to call off Government plans to impose a new contract on junior doctors. Leaders from 22 of the UK’s medical royal colleges have endorsed a statement that urges the Government to return to negotiations with the BMA. The statement, published yesterday by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, follows on from the announcement that industrial action by junior doctors is to be stepped up to include a full withdrawal of services between 26 April and 27 April. The announcement was backed by a number of medical leaders, including Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh president Professor Derek Bell, who said David Cameron had to intercede to resolve the contract dispute ‘as a matter of urgency’. He said: ‘The junior contract dispute should not have escalated to the current position with the threat of imposition by the UK Government and a full strike planned by junior doctors, who are understandably aggrieved with the situation. ‘I have asked the prime minister to intervene as a matter of urgency as the only solution that will benefit patients and the long-term sustainability of the NHS and its workforce is a negotiated solution.’   Vital resolution Royal College of General Practitioners chair Maureen Baker said it was vital for the sake of patients that a resolution to the contract impasse should be found. She said: ‘We are shocked it has come to this. We...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news