Junior doctors from St George's Hospital have written to the foundation trust's chief executive to ask him to negotiate directly with them on the new contracts.

February 11: St George's Hospital chief exec says Jeremy Hunt should not impose junior doctors' contracts

February 10: Junior doctors walk out for 24 hours as contract negotiations fail again

After doctors across the country staged industrial action in January and February to protest the contracts proposed by the Department of Health, Jeremy Hunt announced they would be brought in on Thursday.

Junior doctors soon realised that the contracts do not have to be imposed by hospitals in foundation trusts, meaning Miles Scott, chief executive at St George's Hospital, can meet with his own doctors to discuss concerns. 

The option is also open at Kingston Hospital, which is an NHS foundation trust. 

The letter reads: "Many thanks for meeting with us today, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us in person.

"We were also grateful for your clarification that you 'do not support imposition' of the new junior doctor contract.

"Following the meeting, we now understand that, as a Foundation Trust, you are not mandated to bring in the new contract for junior doctors, as you can decide to negotiate locally.

"In view of this and in light of your statement today, we would be grateful for your reassurance that St George’s will not be imposing a new contract on junior doctors."

On Friday, Mr Scott said he supported the new contract, but did not support the imposition.

He was one of 20 chief executives of foundation trusts who signed a letter written by Sir David Dalton in support of the new contracts, but Mr Scott has since distanced himself from the letter. 

In a statement published on the trust's website on Friday, Mr Scott said: "I was happy to contribute my views to David Dalton and his team.

"I supported him in making an improved offer over the last week and agree that the final offer was fair and reasonable.

"I am very sorry that this has not provided the basis for an agreement with the BMA. It has been for the Secretary of State to decide how to respond to the failure of the talks.

"To be clear, I supported the contract offer but not the imposition."