Following the introduction of the new junior doctor contract in England, will the Minister outline the impact on the specialty of histopathology in Wales, and provide his response to potential recruitment and retention issues?
It is important to recognise that the new contract applies in England only at this stage, and work is underway to assess the implications for junior doctors in Wales. Until this work is complete I am unable to confirm precisely what the implications will be for individual trainee specialties in Wales, except to say that they will likely vary between specialities. The position of histopathology trainees is a good example of where complex modelling and analysis work is required in order for NHS Employers to understand the full range of implications the new contract in England presents for medical trainees in Wales.
The contract modelling and analysis work is being carried out by the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and I expect to receive their conclusions by February/March next year. I have also been holding regular meetings with BMA Wales to discuss next steps and to understand how our junior doctors feel about the imposition of new terms and conditions on their colleagues in England. I will ensure that the needs and aspirations of the trainees in some of our smaller specialties, like histopathology, are taken fully into account as these discussions continue.