David Woolf, Birmingham

Consultants recently voted overwhelmingly to reject their proposed new contract.

Across the United Kingdom, 63% of consultants and 84% of specialist registrars voted against the contract, but the result varied considerably across the United Kingdom. In England and Wales the contract was rejected by 66% of voters, whereas in Scotland and Northern Ireland the contract is being introduced after most consultants voted in favour.

The proposals would see an average increase in a consultant's NHS pay of 15% for an increase in contracted hours of 14%. There would be new restrictions imposed on private work and consultants could have to work until 10 pm on weekdays and on weekend mornings.

Chairman of the BMA, Dr Ian Bogle, said, "Those who have rejected this contract have done so because they fear that the new contract will increase the pressures on them."

In the wake of the vote, Alan Milburn, the health secretary, is looking at new ways of changing the current working arrangements for consultants. Speculation centres on the introduction of a new "junior consultant" grade. Many medical students are concerned that these changes may discourage people from joining the profession. A spokesperson for the BMA medical students, committee voiced concern, "There has just been an increase in applications to medical school, after a number of years of decline. But if the government goes ahead with its proposals to introduce a junior consultant grade we could see students being put off studying medicine once again."

For an update of events see:

www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/325/7372/1053
www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/325/7373/1129/a
www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/325/7373/1047