DEWSBURY MP Paula Sherriff has urged Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to rethink changes to contracts for junior doctors.
The new contracts, which will extend regular working hours to include Saturdays and evenings, effectively reducing overtime rates, could lead to real-term pay cuts of up to 40%.
In a letter to Mr Hunt, Ms Sherriff warned that the proposal could lead to an ‘exodus of talent from the NHS workforce’.
The Labour member said: “In just three days, around 2,000 junior doctors have applied for certification allowing them to work overseas.
“Given that it costs £250,000 to train a doctor through to qualification, this is a serious matter of alarm.
“Instead of improving health services, we are in real danger of compromising patient safety and clinical decision making.”
Ms Sherriff added: “Hospitals like my own in Dewsbury are struggling to recruit and retain doctors; with an ageing population and welcome advances in diagnosis and treatment, I fear that the impact of this decision will have serious ramifications for generations to come unless it is urgently reconsidered.”
