As constituents will know, I had with others been pressing both sides to resume talks and find an agreement. I am pleased they have now done so.
The government says that the new contract will reduce the maximum hours a doctor can be asked to work in any week from 91 to 72, provide new protections for doctors taking maternity leave, offers a reduction in the number of nights a doctor can be asked to work consecutively and provides sufficient pay incentives to ensure proper staffing levels at week-ends.
I support the idea that we need properly staffed emergency care at week-ends, and that the hours and pay have to be fair to doctors. Let us hope this new agreement has found the happy balance between these objectives.