The junior doctors' dispute is finally being resolved – so why did it take the Government so long?

We have experienced tough times in the profession, but I am reminded of the words of CS Lewis: “Experience that most brutal of teachers, but you learn; my god you learn”. One wonders if Jeremy Hunt is having the same thought

Junior doctors striking outside North Middlesex Hospital (Rex)

Ten months ago, who would have thought that the ants of the medical workforce – junior doctors – could have caused such ructions with the Government?

The first strikes in more than 40 years; an unprecedented historic emergency walk out; an outbreak of unity seen among the medical profession, and levels of public support previously unseen in trade disputes.

This unnecessary bitter, protracted and tense negotiation has been littered with erroneous data, misleading figures, conflation of a manifesto objective with the junior contract.

Many commentators have asked repeatedly why the government chose to pick this fight with junior doctors using damaging rhetoric and media spin.

And now, there is a statement of a negotiated settlement from ACAS. So what was it all for? Why did the Government lose the trust of one of its most important services when a deal was always available?

As I have written before, a negotiated settlement has always been the goal of junior doctors. A solution seems possible as compromise has been reached on both sides of the table, and I am optimistic.

There are now rules to prevent doctors working excessive hours, with increased fines on those hospitals that breach the guidelines they are expected to meet.

Suddenly, we have robust limits on weekend working and a change from talking about “premium pay” for weekends, nights and evenings to an understanding of the demands on our working patterns, and the concept of a weekend allowance installed.

The Government also seems to have taken into account the concerns regarding discrimination against women, to remove the disadvantage of those who take time out due to caring responsibilities.

There has been a lot of movement from both sides of the negotiating table and the deal looks positive – but the majority of change of attitude has come from the government. So why was this debate allowed to drag on for so long with such damaging consequences?

The final contract is due to be published at the end of May and will be put to a referendum of members as they ultimately have to decide if the contract is acceptable. The BMA will have conducted their role of negotiating and lobbying on our behalf and then it will be up to us. The membership will decide.

This past year, I have become even more proud to be a doctor as we stood united against an unsafe and unworkable junior contract. The BMA spoke for its members and we in the turn have stood behind and with them.

We have experienced tough times in the profession, but I am reminded of the words of CS Lewis: “Experience that most brutal of teachers, but you learn; my god you learn”. One wonders if Jeremy Hunt is having the same thought.

Is it a win for us or the government? My response is that it was never a question of winning. But I do hope that there are some things that the government has learned – about the relationship between politics and health, and the importance for fighting for what is right.

Let us hope that the new deal achieves that.