Seven day services: how relevant is the junior doctors’ contract?

Gulland’s article provides an interesting perspective on the trusts held up as shining examples by Hunt in pushing through the seven day services agenda.1 The policy has repeatedly been used as an excuse by Hunt to push through a new junior doctors’ contract, saying that changes to this contract are necessary to facilitate a seven day NHS.2 Ironically all the measures cited by Gulland relate to the consultant cover at Salisbury and Northumbria. She does not mention the contribution that junior doctors may or may not need to make to facilitate seven day care, suggesting that the junior doctors’ contract has nothing to do with seven day care.