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Press release: New contract set to double numbers of 'part-time' junior doctors

11 Apr 2005

A major disincentive to work in the NHS is removed today (Monday 11 April, 2005), as doctors' leaders and employers announce a new contract making it easier for doctors in training to work flexibly.

The BMA and NHS Employers, who negotiated the contract, believe it will boost the NHS workforce by doubling the numbers of flexible trainees - junior doctors who work less than full-time - over the next three to five years.

Access to less than full-time work is currently very poor - only one in twenty junior doctors trains flexibly, but half would like to.  Most flexible trainees are women with families, and demand for better work-life balance is likely to increase, with female doctors set to outnumber men within the next ten years.

Mr Simon Eccles, chair of the BMA's Junior Doctors Committee, says:  "Poor work-life balance can be a nightmare for junior doctors. Many - especially those with families - would be forced to leave the NHS if they did not have access to flexible training.  I am delighted that the NHS has made this commitment to retaining staff and improving junior doctors' working lives"

NHS trusts often cite the current pay system as the reason they are reluctant to employ flexible trainees, arguing that paying them overtime is too expensive. Under the new contract, salary will be more closely based on hours of work.

Gill Bellord, head of pay and negotiations at NHS Employers, said: "Improving the working lives of staff is vital to the NHS. This new contract will encourage NHS trusts to offer flexible training opportunities to more junior doctors who cannot work full-time. However, we also expect NHS trusts to offer more family friendly training opportunities for full-time junior doctors, including help with childcare and the option of working hours to fit in with family life."

Under the terms of the agreement, it will be easier for junior doctors to share a whole-time equivalent 'slot'.  A clearer range of reasons for applying for flexible training will also be considered, including religious commitments, and professional development.

No flexible trainees will lose out under the new scheme - those whose pay would not go up under the new system will have their pay protected at current levels.

The two documents published today can be found on the Doctors in training page on our website.

Notes for editors

1. The new contract has been agreed by the BMA, NHS Employers, the UK health departments and the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans.
2. NHS Employers, the employers' organisation for the NHS in England, was launched on 1 November 2004. Its work programme includes pay negotiations, health and safety, diversity, recruitment and retention, the NHS Pension Scheme review and whistle-blowing. NHS Employers is part of the NHS Confederation but has its own director, policy board and assembly.
3. For media enquiries, please contact Steve Harman in the BMA Press Office on 020 7383 6512.

Contact details

The press office provides a comprehensive service to keep journalists informed about the work of NHS Employers.

If you have a media enquiry, please contact the press office team:

• Gemma Jeffcoate
  0207 074 3308 or gemma.jeffcoate@nhsemployers.org
• Emma Stafford
  0207 074 3307 or emma.stafford@nhsemployers.org

For out of hours media enquiries, please contact the duty press officer on 07880 500726.

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