JUNIOR doctors who are against the Government’s plans to impose new contracts say they feel “devalued and demoralised”.

Trainees from Barnet Hospital, in Wellhouse Lane, and North Middlesex Hospital, in Wilbury Way, Edmonton, have spoken to the Times and Independent Series about their concerns.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt wants to create a 24 hour, seven day a week NHS, quoting figures that show patients are more likely to die at weekends or in the evening.

But doctors say these figures have been “misreported” and they already work hard to provide a safe, seven-day service.

The new contracts would also see doctors who work between 5pm and 10pm Monday to Saturday paid the same as those working the normal 9-5pm shift.

Lizzie Goodwin, 27, who has been training at Barnet Hospital for the last year and a half, said: “We weren’t naïve when we signed up to do medicine.

“Our desire is to provide the best service we can for all patients. We aren’t opposed to round-the-clock service – that’s already on offer.

“It’s concerning that a lot of the public don’t attend A&E at weekends because they don’t think the care will be as good. That’s not true – we need people to know that.

“It feels like talking to a brick wall – we’re raising concerns but we don’t feel like we’re being heard or getting the answers we need.”

Nicola West, who is four years into her training at North Middlesex Hospital, called the situation “mad”.

The 32-year-old said: “We want people to know that if you need us at the weekend or in the evening, we are here and we will look after you. We work hard to provide that service.

“Doctors are at breaking point and so overstretched as it is, everyone is just about coping. You can’t spread us any thinner.

“And then suddenly he comes along and says, you aren’t working hard enough. It’s a ridiculous situation. It smacks a complete lack of understanding of how overworked we are.

“It’s a slippery slope. These changes could lead to further compromises in the NHS. My worry is there will be an exodus and people won’t want to be doctors anymore.”

The changes could lead to doctors taking a 15 to 30 per cent pay cut, a huge chunk of money that many could not afford to lose.

The contract will also abolish automatic pay rises after each year of training, which is supposed to represent how experienced a doctor is.

Mother Reina Popat, a GP trainee at Barnet Hospital, is expecting her second child with her husband, paediatric doctor Priven.

But the couple, who say they took out a mortgage based on these pay increases, fear they could have to change their lifestyles.

Dr Popat said: “People are demoralised because they realise they’ll be paid less for doing more hours. There’s no longer an incentive to work anti-social hours.

“It makes me feel devalued for the work I do. People might end up dropping out of the specialities because they don’t think it’s worth it, causing more pressure on those left.”

The 28-year-old also fears she may not be able to afford childcare as the cost of this will be significantly higher between 5pm and 10pm.

She added: “We aren’t asking for a pay rise. We just want to be recognised for the work we do.”

Sarrah Tayabali, 28, is working in the haematology department at North Middlesex Hospital and is hoping to go into research.

But she is now left wondering whether it will be financially viable because she too would end up suffering a pay cut.

She said: “People won’t want to go into research and this could affect the next breakthrough in medicine.

“Morale is very low in the workforce. It’s a complete slap in the face. We don’t get much thank for the work we do and now we’re accused of being a barrier to improve services.

“For a lot of people, this is going to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. This contract treats us as machines built into a rota.

“Patients will be at risk.”

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “We have given the British Medical Association’s Junior Doctors’ Committee four cast-iron assurances to encourage them to come back to the table and negotiate on a new contract that’s fairer for doctors and safer for patients.

"Firstly, this is not a cost cutting exercise: we are not seeking to save any money from the paybill.

“Second, the proposal will improve patient safety by better supporting a seven-day NHS.

“Third, this contract will not impose longer hours for junior doctors and finally, we will ensure that the great majority of junior doctors are at least as well paid as they would be now.

"We urge the BMA to come back to the table to work out the best deal for its members.”