The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) has today [5 April 2016] written to the House of Commons Health Select Committee asking it to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the escalating crisis in the NHS in England relating to the new junior doctors’ contract and explore the wider impact on the medical workforce and safe patient care.
The College’s President - along with the Chairs of the Trainees & Members’ Committee and the Recently Appointed Consultants’ Committee - have stated that an urgent inquiry by the Health Committee could facilitate the timely resolution of the current difficulties and look at the longer-term impact on the NHS in England.
Prof Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said:
“The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh supports a negotiated solution to the current dispute over the junior contract. The situation should not have escalated to this level as matters of this importance can only be resolved in a sustainable way through negotiation.
“The publication of the new contract and the Equality Analysis last week merely heightened concerns, particularly for those working less than full time, who are disproportionately women.
“The College believes that an urgent inquiry by the Health Select Committee could help resolve the current impasse and restore stability within the junior doctor workforce in England.
“If we do not resolve this dispute, the impact on our patients, the NHS workforce and the long term sustainability of the NHS will be profound.”
Dr Katherine Walesby, Chair of the RCPE’s Trainees and Members’ Committee, said:
“Morale in the workforce has plummeted and the decision to impose a contract that has not been agreed by both sides is exacerbating the situation.
“The Government’s Equality Analysis has only added to concerns for those working less than full time, particularly women, and goes against progress that has been made in relation to gender equality in the NHS and further afield.
“We have a duty to our doctors in training, the general public and our patients to ensure that all the issues around the junior doctors’ contract and the potential longer-term and wider impact on the medical workforce and safe patient care are addressed.
“I hope that a comprehensive and independent inquiry by the Health Committee would enable us to move forward.”
ENDS
Contact: Lisa Rooke, RCPE - 07717 895628 / l.rooke@rcpe.ac.uk
Notes to Editors
