Junior Doctors' Contract

EDM number 734 in 2015-16, proposed by Norman Lamb on 18/11/2015.
Categorised under the topics of Health staff and professions and Industrial relations.

That this House expresses admiration for the passion, dedication and sense of vocation of junior doctors up and down the country; criticises the Government for its handling of the ongoing dispute over reform of the junior doctors' contract; accepts the value of reforming working practices if there is evidence that current arrangements are undermining the best possible patient care and the financial sustainability of the NHS, but does not believe that the Government's position achieves these objectives; believes it is essential that a renegotiated contract provides appropriate safeguards to protect junior doctors from excessive working hours, protects the pay of junior doctors who work regular weekend and evening shifts, and does not disadvantage those who take time out of full-time clinical work in order to undertake research or start a family; is deeply concerned at the prospect of industrial action by tens of thousands of junior doctors, and the impact that this might have on the safety and wellbeing of patients; and urges the Government to enter into meaningful negotiations with the BMA Junior Doctors' Committee, free of all preconditions including the threat of imposition in August 2016, avert industrial action, and achieve a solution which offers a fair deal for junior doctors, patients and the NHS.

This motion has been signed by a total of 17 MPs.