Health Minister Simon Hamilton has addressed a number of the issues in relation to the current discussions on a new contract of employment for junior doctors.
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Health Minister Simon Hamilton.[/caption]
He said: “I’m very aware of the strength of feeling amongst junior doctors about a new contract of employment.
“Our junior doctors deserve a contract which is fair to them and which recognises the key role they play in delivering services to the people of Northern Ireland. They are a highly valued part of our workforce and I pay tribute to their contribution.
“I have no desire whatsoever to impose a new contract on junior doctors. An imposed contract would be the worst possible outcome. I have sympathy for HM Government’s desire to create a seven day NHS but it is essential that we work with our staff to achieve it.
“I value the work of our junior doctors too much to threaten them with the enforcement of a new contract but they too have responsibilities. I want to see junior doctor representatives re-engage with the Department of Health in London and work together to improve the existing contract which everyone has agreed is not fit for purpose. Just as imposing a new contract is far from ideal, so too is maintaining a contract that is broadly regarded as being unsatisfactory. It isn’t in the interests of junior doctors that their representatives have walked away from negotiations. They need to come back to the table and agree a new UK wide contract and today’s offer by Jeremy Hunt is the perfect opportunity for negotiations to begin again in earnest.
“I have already discussed this issue with the BMA and am happy to do so again. My officials have engaged in discussions with local BMA Junior Doctor representatives to identify and understand the issues for Northern Ireland to fully inform the way forward. I’m keen to see those discussions continue.”
Minister Hamilton added: “At all times, I have said that I will do what is in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland and that means I won’t do anything that jeopardises patient safety and achieving the highest standard of care.”
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