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<p>After the British Medical Association (BMA) left negotiations in October 2014,
the Government asked the independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) to make
recommendations on a new contract for junior doctors. The DDRB report published on
16 July considered evidence from employers, Government, the British Medical Association
(BMA) and other interested parties and made recommendations on a new pay structure
for doctors and dentists in training.</p><p>The Secretary of State accepted the recommendations
of the DDRB as the basis for implementing a new contract and invited the BMA to re-enter
negotiations to take forward the recommendations with NHS Employers. Although the
DDRB accepted the principles of the reforms there remained significant work to finalise
and agree the details of the contract and it was expected that these would be agreed
between the parties on the basis of a negotiation. It is disappointing that on 13
August the BMA announced that it would not re-engage in negotiations based on the
independent report and absented itself from participating in making important design
decisions on the new contract.</p><p>The Government cannot accept that a Trade Union
should have a veto on making changes to an outdated employment contract that the BMA
agreed urgently needed reform. The Department has therefore asked NHS Employers to
take forward the work of developing a new employment contract without the BMA. NHS
Employers are arranging to consult with junior doctors and other interested stakeholders
directly and will shortly launch a series of roadshows across the country. The Government
would still welcome the BMA re-entering the negotiation.</p><p>The new contract will
prioritise safe care by strengthening safeguards on doctors’ working hours and reward
junior doctors more fairly for the work they do. No financial savings will be made
from implementing the new contract. It will be finalised in the new year and is due
to be implemented from August 2016.</p>
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