BMA rejects bypassing consultants

Plans to bypass the failed NHS reform deal for consultants by creating a new "sub-consultant" grade among more junior doctors have met immediate opposition from the British Medical Association, which dismissed the proposal as a "kneejerk reaction".

Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, wants a junior grade for hospital consultants to cope with the extra NHS work rejected by consultants in a ballot last week. He also promised more cash for those who commit themselves to taking on the new specialist grade.

But the BMA said yesterday that the medical profession was "united against this idea at all levels". "A special consultants grade is not the way forward," a spokesman said. "People expect a consultant-delivered service [staffed by] senior hospital doctors, not by juniors."

The Government is keen to stress that it is not about to go to war with consultants or with the BMA. However, there are already suggestions that some consultants might resign from the NHS and sell their services through barrister-style "chambers".