Health secretary Jeremy Hunt scraps Fareham visit over protest fears
HEALTH secretary Jeremy Hunt has pulled out of a fundraiser in Fareham after reports junior doctors were going to turn up to protest about their controversial new contract.
Mr Hunt had been due to go to the drinks and canapes evening at the Lysses House Hotel with Tory activists tonight until the event’s open invitation began to circulate on social media.
Some junior doctors, who say Mr Hunt has refused to speak to them directly, said they would go to talk to him about the contract, which has sparked a series of strikes.
It is not clear how many, if any, junior doctors had been in touch to purchase tickets to the £15 gathering.
Mr Hunt announced yesterday that he would impose a new employment contract on NHS junior doctors without their consent – but doctors have accused him of refusing to face their arguments directly.
The British Medical Association, which has been leading negotiations on behalf of junior doctors, said it would look at all options available to it in order to prevent the contract from being implemented.
On Tuesday junior doctors protested outside Queen Alexandra Hospital, in Cosham, against the new contract.
Fareham Conservatives said they would provide a further statement on the event when one was available.