Shona Robison responds to UK Government announcement
Health Secretary Shona Robison has confirmed that Scotland will not impose any contract on junior doctors working north of the border.
Ms Robison said that the Scottish Government would continue to service the existing deal for junior doctors in NHS Scotland.
It follows an announcement today by the UK Government that a negotiated contract with junior doctors has not been reached and that the contract will be imposed in England.
Ms Robison said: “It is extremely disappointing that the UK Government has announced the imposition of a contract that the BMA clearly feels is not right for junior doctors.
“I want to reassure junior doctors working in the NHS in Scotland that this Government will not impose any new contract on our workforce.
“We take a very different approach to our relations with NHS staff and are determined to continue our longstanding positive relationship – working with staff to improve and shape services for the future.
“Junior doctors are an extremely valued part of Scotland’s NHS and that is why we will continue to service the existing contract for junior doctors until such time that we feel it is right to move towards negotiations.
“BMA Scotland continue to be an important partner of ours and if we did decide to move towards a new contract, it would only ever be on the basis of an agreed and negotiated settlement.
“We believe that working with our junior doctors and other NHS staff is ultimately in the best interests of patients.”
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