Junior doctors contracted by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the Isle of Man will not see changes to their contracts of employment.

Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said: “The Department wishes to make its position absolutely clear following the recent contractual changes imposed on junior doctors in England: there will be no change in terms and conditions for junior doctors contracted by the DHSC in the Isle of Man.

“The Department values the contribution that all of our health and social care professionals make to the wellbeing of the people of the Isle of Man. For our junior doctors we believe the current contract arrangements in the Isle of Man are fair.

“We have to strike a delicate balance with our terms and conditions for employees. This means making sure that our rates of pay and benefits represent value for money for the taxpayer whilst enabling us to attract and retain talented health and social care professionals. I think our current arrangements have that balance right.”

“The Island has a strong tradition of working in partnership with our staff and their representatives. Junior doctors from any part of the UK interested in working in the Isle of Man will find a very warm welcome here.”

Junior doctors play a significant role in the delivery of care on the Island both at Noble’s Hospital and in GP practices.

As part of the Island’s Medical Education offering, junior doctors can undertake their Foundation Programme training on the Island, which follows graduation from medical school. Core Medical Training is also available to junior doctors, which follows the Foundation Programme, as doctors begin specialist training in their chosen field.

The Island’s Core Medical Training programme was recently rated in the top 25% of programmes in the UK in the annual National Training Survey of junior doctors, commissioned by the General Medical Council.

Dr Prakash Thiagarajan, speaking as a representative of the British Medical Association, added: “I am delighted that the Isle of Man Government has decided, in line with the positions in Scotland and Wales, to continue with the current contract for junior doctors in the Isle of Man, instead of following the UK Government in attempting to impose a new contract on junior doctors in England, which the BMA views as unsafe for patients and unfair for doctors.”

Chief Executive of the Department, Dr Malcolm Couch, said: “I hope the message that the Isle of Man is retaining its existing contracts sends a clear signal to junior doctors and that, in turn, they will consider the Island when determining where to undertake their training.”