Junior doctors across north London have rejected new contracts proposed by the government in a referendum.

Ham & High: Whittington Hospital Junior Doctors strikeWhittington Hospital Junior Doctors strike (Image: � Nigel Sutton email pictures@nigelsuttonphotography.com)

The British Medical Association (BMA) put it to the junior doctors to decide and 58 per cent rejected the terms and conditions.

Chair of the BMA, Johann Malawana, resigned following the results and described it as a “demonstration of just how appallingly frontline staff have been treated and undermined”.

He added: “Having spoken to many junior doctors across the country in recent weeks it was clear that, while some felt the new contract represented an improved offer, others had reservations about what it would mean for their working lives, their patients and the future delivery of care in the NHS.”

The referendum followed a bitter dispute between doctors and the government which lead to multiple strikes, including the first ever full walk-out of junior doctors in history.

In the most recent full strike, The Whittington has cancelled 180 outpatient appointments and The Royal Free Trust postponed 325 clinics and procedures.

Secretary of State for health, Jeremy Hunt, released a statement describing the result as “extremely disappointing” and added “we will now consider the outcome”.

The Ham&High is awaiting statements from local trusts.