Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the Government’s decision to impose the new junior doctor’s contract, said:

“To impose a contract on the Junior Doctors when the morale of NHS staff is at an all-time low, is a real insult to front-line staff.

“Imposing the Junior Doctors contract is inherently unfair and would be an indictment of the Secretary of State’s handling of this situation.

“The Government urgently needs to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the NHS, but imposing these contracts is not the way to do this.

“The Secretary of State has a duty to rebuild the trust he has lost.  

“It is not too late to change course. At this time of general instability, I would urge the Government to reconsider their position, and initiate meaningful talks.”