Resident doctors in Wales vote to accept new contract
Resident doctors across Wales have voted to accept a landmark new contract following a referendum of eligible members and final year medical students.
The ballot result showed 83% voting in favour and 17% against, with a turnout of 41%.
The agreement includes a 4% additional investment in the resident doctor workforce, alongside changes to working patterns, training and employment conditions.
It follows negotiations between the BMA Welsh resident doctors committee, NHS Wales Employers and the Welsh Government, which concluded earlier this year.
Key elements of the contract include new safeguards to prevent the most fatiguing working patterns, reforms to study budgets and study leave, and measures aimed at tackling medical unemployment and improving career progression.
Dr Oba Babs Osibodu, chair of the Welsh resident doctors committee, said: “We’re proud to have negotiated this contract, which offers our colleagues and the future generation of doctors safer terms of service, fairer pay, and far better prospects so that they can grow and develop their careers in Wales.
“This contract will help to retain the doctors already in training, and also attract more doctors to work in Wales, where they can offer their expertise and benefit patients.
“We remain committed to achieving full pay restoration, and this contract helps to set us on this path, but we will not stop campaigning until we have reached this target.
“Whilst this contract sets the foundations for a brighter future for resident doctors in Wales, we acknowledge the fact that there are still doctors who are struggling to develop their careers and find permanent work.
“We need to work with the Welsh Government and NHS employers to find urgent solutions to the training bottlenecks and doctor underemployment crisis.”
The contract replaces terms that have been in place since 2002. According to the BMA, resident doctors’ pay in Wales has seen a real-terms cut of 19.1% since 2008 to 09. Taking into account the new investment, pay erosion is expected to reduce to 16.1%.
Under the agreement, pay will move from a banding system to an hours-based model, with overtime and non-resident on-call shifts paid through a transparent electronic system. A Guardian for Safe and Flexible Working will also be introduced.
The contract is expected to be phased in from August 2026, starting with doctors in foundation programmes, those on unbanded rotas and new starters. Core trainees are due to transfer in August 2027, with specialty registrars following by August 2028.
In a written statement, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said: “I am very pleased that, following the results of a referendum among BMA Cymru Wales resident doctor members, the proposed contract has been accepted.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to invest and modernise terms and conditions for medical and dental professionals and to ensure NHS Wales continues to be an attractive and supportive place to train and work for resident doctors and dentists.”
In contrast, resident doctors in England are currently taking part in industrial action over pay and jobs. Doctors are on strike from 7am on Wednesday 17 December until 7am on Monday 22 December, marking their 14th walkout since March 2023. The action comes amid record flu cases and warnings of significant pressure on hospitals.
The UK Government says resident doctors in England have received an average pay rise of 28.9% over the past three years, while the British Medical Association argues this has not kept pace with inflation and has called for further pay restoration.
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
