The WJDC (Welsh Junior doctors committee) considers all matters affecting junior doctors in Wales and acts on their behalf. We do this by informing, liaising and collaborating with Welsh Government, HEIW (Health Education and Improvement Wales), NWSSP (NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership) and local health boards. We also work closely with the Welsh council and the UKJDC.
Our priorities
Pay restoration for junior doctors in Wales
Junior doctor pay in Wales has eroded substantially since 2008. With waiting times recently at an all time high in Wales, now more than ever the value of recruiting and retaining junior doctors is evident. That’s why we’re fighting for fair pay. That’s why we’re fighting for full pay restoration.
Join our pay restoration campaign
Junior doctor contract talks in Wales
In October 2022, members voted to reject the proposed contract deal. The committee is now considering next steps for contract reform.
Read more about junior doctor contract talks in Wales
Study budget review
Following long-term pressure from the WJDC, HEIW has agreed that any funds within a trainee’s annual individual study budget, that are unspent at the end of a particular training year, can now be rolled over and added to their budget for the next training year.
COVID-19
Since the beginning of the pandemic, WJDC has worked hard to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on junior doctors. Amongst other streams of work, this has involved agreeing joint statements with Welsh Government and NHS Wales Employers on the application of the terms and conditions of service to emergency COVID-19 rotas, and on the rollover of annual leave and study budget across training years.
Less than full time training
WJDC has successfully lobbied for greater flexibility within the LTFT training policy in Wales. The new policy removes the requirement for junior doctors to fall into eligibility categories in order to apply to train LTFT. It also stipulates that all specialties should offer a range of percentage WTE (working time equivalent) options, rather than just the typically offered 50%.
Fatigue and facilities charter
The Welsh Fatigue and Facilities Charter and its accompanying FAQs was launched in May 2020. All health boards in Wales have signed up to the charter and must take active steps towards compliance with its stipulations. The charter ensures baseline standards for facilities, rostering and other areas to help address the issue of fatigue among junior doctors.
Read more about BMA work on fatigue and sleep deprivation.
Travel and relocation expenses reimbursement
WJDC is working with HEIW to review the Welsh trainee travel and relocation expenses policy, advocating changes to the policy to ensure that no trainee is left out of pocket.
Single lead employer for hospital-based trainees
WJDC is a key stakeholder on the project board for the implementation of NWSSP as the single lead employer for hospital-based trainees in Wales. Being a member of the board enables us to raise our members’ issues directly with NWSSP and advocate for a smooth transition process for all trainees.
Our people
Co-Chairs: Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu and Dr Peter Fahey
Deputy chairs:
Dr Emily Louise Sams (education and training)
Dr Amna Khalid Abdelrahman Babiker (terms and conditions)
WJDC executive subcommittee members:
Dr Benedict Evans
Dr Imogen John
Dr Claire Norman
WJDC terms and conditions sub-committee members:
Dr Daniel Peter Jones
Dr Thomas Winston Grother
Dr Joshua William James Thomas-Parr
Dr Georgina Francis Lauren Budd
Dr Daniel Peter Jones
Dr Joshua William James Thomas-Parr
Dr Imogen Cleo Rimmer
Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu
Dr Jerome James Ling
Dr Kayode Damilola Makinde
Dr Aled Lloyd
Dr Thomas Winston Grother
Dr Emily Louise Sams
Dr Sarah Winter
Dr Karishma Khan
Dr Hannah Wise
Dr Rachel Wallice
Dr Peter Fahey
Dr Benedict Evans
Dr Mohammad Mostafa Chizari
Dr Claire Norman
Dr Mohammed Anwar
Dr Andrew Hughes
Dr Josie Cheetham
Dr James Ellis
Dr Michael Gardiner
Dr Craig George-McDowall
Dr Lucy Hall
Dr Megan Lloyd-Hughes
Dr Imogen John
Dr Louise Tucker
Dr Amna Khalid Abdelrahman Babiker
Take part in one of our free courses designed to give you the right skills to:
- break down equality and inclusion bias (CPD-accredited)
- value difference and inclusivity
- live our BMA behaviour principles.
Our meetings
We meet four times a year to discuss the latest issues affecting junior doctors in Wales. These meetings are open to members of the WJDC only.
Meetings dates:
- 18 October 2023
- 11 January 2024
- 14 March 2024
- 6 June 2024
All meetings take place from 10am to 3pm either virtually or at:
BMA Cymru Wales
5th Floor
2 Caspian Point
Caspian Way
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF10 4DQ
How to join WJDC
There are many advantages to becoming involved in our committees. You can actively influence BMA policy-making and negotiations, represent your colleagues' voices and develop your leadership skills.
Each committee has a few routes to becoming an elected member. In the case of WJDC, this is:
- Seats/term - every two years, elections for 30 seats on WJDC take place for a two-session term.
- Timeline - elections are usually held in the summer, after the final meeting of the session.
- Eligibility - all junior doctors who work in Wales are eligible to stand in this election. All junior doctors who are BMA members and work in Wales can vote in this election.
The election section below is kept up to date with details about any running elections, so make sure you keep checking it throughout the year.
Elections
Elections to the Welsh junior doctors committee are now closed.
Get in touch
If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the WJDC, email [email protected].
Join the BMA Wales junior doctors Facebook page, to stay up to date with the work of the WJDC.
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