Resident Doctors in Wales Approve New Contract with 83% Support

Resident doctors across Wales have voted to accept a significant new contract, with a decisive 83% of participants supporting the agreement in a recent referendum. The ballot, which included eligible members and final-year medical students, recorded a turnout of 41%. This new contract represents a pivotal shift in the working conditions for resident doctors, introducing enhancements in pay, training, and employment terms.

Negotiated between the BMA Welsh resident doctors committee, NHS Wales Employers, and the Welsh Government, this contract marks the culmination of discussions that took place earlier this year. Among the key features of the agreement are a 4% increase in investment for the resident doctor workforce, alongside measures aimed at reducing the most fatiguing working patterns, improving study budgets, and addressing issues of medical unemployment.

Key Features of the New Contract

Dr. Oba Babs Osibodu, chair of the Welsh resident doctors committee, expressed pride in the negotiated contract, stating, “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.”

The contract replaces terms that have been in place since 2002. According to the BMA, resident doctors in Wales have experienced a real-terms pay cut of 19.1% since the 2008-09 period. With the new investment, this pay erosion is expected to decrease to 16.1%.

Under the revised terms, pay will shift from a banding system to an hours-based model. This change will allow for more transparent payment for overtime and non-resident on-call shifts through an electronic system. Additionally, a Guardian for Safe and Flexible Working will be introduced to monitor working conditions.

Implementation Timeline and Future Prospects

The new contract is set to be phased in starting from August 2026, beginning with doctors in foundation programmes and those on unbanded rotas. Core trainees are expected to transition by August 2027, while specialty registrars will follow by August 2028.

In a written statement, Jeremy Miles, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, noted, “I am very pleased that, following the results of a referendum among BMA Cymru Wales resident doctor members, the proposed contract has been accepted.” He emphasized that this agreement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment to modernize terms and conditions for medical professionals within NHS Wales.

While this new contract lays the groundwork for improved working conditions, Dr. Osibodu highlighted ongoing challenges, stating, “We acknowledge the fact that there are still doctors who are struggling to develop their careers and find permanent work.” He stressed the need for collaboration with the Welsh Government and NHS employers to address training bottlenecks and the crisis of doctor underemployment.

In contrast, resident doctors in England continue to face difficulties, participating in industrial action over pay and job security. A strike is scheduled from 07:00 on December 17 until 07:00 on December 22, marking their 14th walkout since March 2023. The UK Government has stated that resident doctors in England have received an average pay rise of 28.9% over the past three years, while the BMA argues that this increase has not kept pace with inflation and is calling for further pay restoration.

The acceptance of this new contract in Wales signifies an important step forward for resident doctors, aiming to enhance their working conditions and retain talent within the healthcare system. The commitment to future negotiations reflects an ongoing dialogue about the importance of supporting medical professionals in delivering quality care to patients.