No decision yet on new junior doctors' contracts says Peterborough City Hospital

The Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is not obliged to introduce the contracts which the government has drawn up.

The divisive issue has led to national strikes including at the hospital in Bretton which has so far seen two days of industrial action.

The argument centres largely on whether working conditions mean that patient safety will be compromised and if the junior doctors will see their pay go down.

The latest strike was held on Wednesday last week which saw 67 outpatient appointments cancelled but all operations go ahead.

The first day of industrial action was on Tuesday, January 12.

Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson has labelled the strikes as “unnecessary.”

Caroline Walker, deputy chief executive, said: “As a foundation trust all contracts offered to staff are left to our discretion.

“However, we will be monitoring the national and local position in the decision process with regards to any contracts offered to junior doctors.

“At this time no decision has been made, but we would like to reassure patients that high quality of care and their safety is our priority.”