Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from the medical profession on changing the job title Junior Doctor; and if he will make a statement.

The Department received correspondence from Professor David R. Matthews of the Oxford Health Alliance regarding his campaign calling for a change in the use of the term ‘Junior Doctor’.

Professor Matthews launched his campaign on 10 October.

The Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies provided the following quote:

“We need modern names for a modern NHS. The current terms of ‘trainee’ and ‘junior’ doctors have been in place for a decade, covering clinicians with a wide range of experience and expertise. These titles do not seem to work for either the staff or the patients.

“There is no easy solution to this, but I think it is important that all healthcare workers get the respect they deserve – and this should include how their jobs are described.”