After imposing a contract on junior physicians in England's National Health Service despite their rejection of it, Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt has called for an independent review of junior physicians' morale.
The review aims to better understand low morale among NHS' junior physicians, by exploring their relationships with employers and senior medical colleagues; competing demands between NHS service requirements and training, education and career progress; working environments and facilities; bullying; and flexibility for time off. The review comes as many resident physicians threaten to leave NHS due to dissatisfaction with the imposed contract, which adjusts down the number of hours residents can receive overtime pay for, but increases general pay.
"It is paramount that we address the deep-seated issues relating to junior doctors' morale, wellbeing and quality of life," Mr. Hunt said in a statement. "Providing a fair, safe contract is one element of that, but it is vitally important that doctors get additional support around training and education, working conditions and flexible holiday that enables them to achieve their full potential and values them for the dedication they give to patients and the NHS," he added.
The review team, led by Professor Dame Sue Bailey, psychiatrist and chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, will make recommendations by the end of the year.
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