Junior doctors at Croydon University Hospital have said they are “relieved” a deal has been reached with the Government on their contracts but will not “count their eggs” until the full details are released at the end of the month.

The Department of Health and the British Medical Association yesterday provisionally agreed on the new contract following months of strike action, including a full withdrawal of emergency care for the first time in the history of the NHS last month.

The offer, to be published in full on May 31, will now be put to a referendum of BMA members, meaning it could still be rejected.

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Alastair Brown, a trainee anaesthetist and the BMA representative at Croydon University Hospital, said: “It is a very positive thing than an agreement has been reached.

“It has been such a bitter, long-running dispute that I think some people are going to remain sceptical for quite a long time.

“The statement itself seems to offer a better deal than what was offered in February and I have got confidence in the junior doctors committee that if they think it is a deal we should accept they wouldn’t have made that decision lightly.”

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Chris Honstvet, a trainee anaesthetist at the hospital, said: “What was released yesterday is very scant on detail so, while it is a big relief that is seems like there is an end to this, I am reserve judgement until the full contract is published.

“Initial reaction is people have been quite unsure what the things they have agreed on actually will mean in practice.

“So I am hopeful but also in the back of my mind I don’t want to count my eggs until the contract is released at the end of the month.”

He added: “This [industrial action] could all have been easily avoided.

“I am sure that I speak for a lot of colleagues as well as myself when I say I just don’t have any faith in the health secretary. Whether this is the right deal or not I don’t think he is the right person to be leading the NHS through what is the most difficult period in its history.”

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According to the BMA, improvements in the contract include recognition of junior doctors work every day of the week and better equality provisions, including the option of accelerated training for doctors who take time out for care responsibilities.

Dr Johann Malawana, chairman of the BMA junior doctors committee said: “I believe that what has been agreed today is a good deal for junior doctors and will ensure that they can continue to deliver high-quality care for patients.

“Junior doctors have always wanted to agree a safe and fair contract, one that recognises and values the contribution junior doctors make to the NHS, addresses the recruitment and retention crisis in parts of the NHS and provides the basis for delivering a world-class health service.”

The BMA member referendum will be held between June 17 and July 1 after a roadshow to explain the changes.