31 May 2002
Junior doctors' leaders said the Department of Health was trying to alter the agreement so that minimum standards would apply only to on-call rooms rather than to all hospital residences.
Roger Currie, BMA junior doctors' committee deputy chair, said the move followed pressure from trusts concerned about the costs of meeting and maintaining the standards.
The standards, which include properly functioning heating and lighting, adequate room furniture and washing facilities, were needed to safeguard doctors' living conditions, he said.
'These standards sought to eradicate the disgraceful living conditions provided by some hospitals.
'Losing vital safeguards makes a mockery of the government's commitment to "improving the working lives of NHS staff" and signals the beginning of a rapid deterioration in hospital living conditions,' he added.
The department said the matter was the subject of ongoing discussions with the association.
PFmay2002
