Press release - junior doctors' leader welcomes improvements to consultant contract framework
22 July 2003
Commenting on the heads of agreement for a new consultant contract, BMA Junior Doctors Committee chairman Mr Paul Thorpe said,
“This is a huge improvement on the previous framework, addressing many of the concerns junior doctors have about their future employment.
“We particularly welcome the lack of discrimination between new and existing consultants, which will protect against attempts to create sub-consultant posts.
“The job planning and appeals processes will allow work plans to be agreed rather than imposed, and the definition of the normal working day as between 7am and 7pm is another important step forward.
“It is a matter of some disappointment that consultants will still be required to take on extra work before being allowed to do any private practice, but it is signficant that those already working an 11 session week will not be forced to do more.
“We would welcome further clarification of the statement that trusts will retain the right to make the final decision on job planning, even when an appeals panel has come to an agreement. Under the terms of the current junior doctors’ contract the results of appeals are binding, and we would hope that the same principle would apply to consultants.
“Although the deal is not perfect, it would essentially give consultants more power to plan their working lives, which is definitely to be welcomed.”