Responding to the announcement today (Thursday) that the government is to impose a new contract on junior doctors, UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said:
“This is a cynical move by Jeremy Hunt and is a disaster for NHS industrial relations. It’s also proof that the government regards the views of hardworking NHS staff as worthless.
“It will be almost impossible for the health service to manage the massive challenges ahead when staff feel they’re being constantly undermined. The value of their jobs is being reduced by government decree, and their pay and working conditions are under attack.
“Jeremy Hunt’s mishandling of the junior doctors’ dispute has undone decades of consensus in the NHS. Unions can’t have faith in any future negotiations if ministers just choose to impose what they want, when they want.
“We’re already seeing increasing numbers of doctors opting to work abroad where their skills are in demand and their expertise valued. This isn’t good for patients in the long-term who will ultimately suffer.”
Notes to editors:
All UNISON press releases can be found at https://www.unison.org.uk/news/media-centre/
Media contacts:
Sophie Goodchild T: 0207 121 5546 M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk
Alan Weaver T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07939 143310 E: a.weaver@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
