NHS consultants: Employers ‘close to 7-day contract offer’

Posted 11/03/2016 By: Julie Crossley

The existing consultants contract includes an opt-out that means doctors do not have to do non-emergency weekend work

Consultants in England could be offered new NHS contracts within weeks, after what ministers have called “constructive” negotiations.

Ministers want to remove a clause that lets consultants opt out of providing non-emergency care at weekends as part of their plans for a “seven-day NHS”.

A breakthrough is seen as vital by the government as it tries to move on from the junior doctors row.The latest strike by junior medics ended on Friday morning.

The 48-hour stoppage was the third walkout, with another two planned for next month as the profession fights the imposition of the new contract.

The talks with consultants’ leaders at the BMA began in autumn and slowed down at the turn of the year. There is a possibility they could conclude before Easter, with meetings held this week and planned for next.

The negotiations, led by NHS Employers for ministers, have centred on removing the weekend opt-out consultants have for non-emergency care.

The government believes this is a major barrier to getting more consultants to work weekends, although the BMA says its research suggests nine in 10 consultants do some level of weekend working.

The opt-out means doctors can command pay three or four times the normal rate when they are asked to do non-emergency weekend shifts. Some of the bonuses consultants get have also been discussed.

Julie Crossley a Medical Injury Lawyer at Ashtonkcj comments “this is a positive step and will hopefully lead to a resolution with the Consultants.The contract issues with the junior doctors of course remain.Although it is clear the medical profession are doing everything in their power to ensure that these strikes do not impact on patients it is causing delays in appointments and surgeries which may in turn lead to avoidable litigation.”