Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has urged hospital doctors to take up seven-day contracts. 

In a speech at the Kings Fund, Hunt said that as part of the commitment to a seven day health service, the government will reform the consultant contract to remove the opt-out from weekend working for newly qualified hospital doctors. No doctors currently in service will be made to move onto a new contract but Hunt added that the “extortionate” off-contract payments for those who continue to exercise their weekend opt-out will be ended.

He said that new contracts would be imposed by September if an agreement with the British Medical Association could be reached. ‘Every weekend swathes of doctors go in hospital to see their patients, driven by professionalism and goodwill, but in many cases with no thanks or recognition.

The aim is to acknowledge that professionalism by putting their contributions on a formalised footing through a more patient and professionally orientated contract,’ he commented.