What’s the objection to the new contract?
It applies to all junior doctors – that is, doctors who aren’t consultants and GPs – and would change how they’re paid. The major concern is about ‘unsocial hours’ – weekends and nights. At the moment, junior doctors are paid a basic rate for working between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday. Weekends and nights have a higher rate. This higher rate is now being cut. What’s more, the definition of ‘unsocial hours’ has changed – it now doesn’t include Saturday daytime or 7-10pm on weekdays.
Why are the doctors striking?
According to the British Medical Association, it is a last resort: doctors fear the government will impose the new contract despite opposition. The BMA say: ‘We hope the government will see the strength of feeling on this issue and come back to meaningful negotiations.
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