Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment was undertaken before the implementation of the new contract of the work-life balance of junior doctors.

An extensive programme of work is being undertaken, developed with the full involvement of the British Medical Association, to address junior doctors’ non-contractual concerns, particularly through Health Education England’s Working Group on improving junior doctors’ working lives:

- reviewing rotations so that junior doctors do not have to change placements more than is necessary and can establish a relationship with a single organisation;

- ensuring that junior doctors beginning rotations know their schedule a month earlier than at present;

- allowing couples to apply to train in the same area;

- offering training placements close to their home for those with caring responsibilities;

- introducing a new catch up programme for doctors who take maternity leave or take time off for caring responsibilities;

- identifying and removing barriers to flexible (part-time) working; and

- reviewing how to make appraisal for junior doctors simpler and less stressful.