He added the government had been willing to be “flexible” on the issue of Saturday pay.
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Mr Hunt also told the Commons there was a “patent unfairness” to the existing contract but progress in reforming it had been “slow”.
“The decision to impose the contract was the Secretary of State’s to make”.
Claire Murdoch, head of the Central and North West London NHS FT, said she was not even aware that her name was on the letter until it was published, and immediately asked for it to be removed.
“I have therefore today chose to that”.
Mr Hunt said he was advised imposing the contract would end the current “uncertainty of services” following the cancellation of appointments and operations in the UK.
The junior doctors strike at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury.
The potential move comes after union leaders failed to back the Government’s “best and final” offer.
“We will monitor the situation across the country to ensure plans are in place, and people are ready to respond to any significant increases in pressure in any region over the period of this strike”.
“This is clearly a political fight for the government rather than an attempt to come to a reasonable solution for all junior doctors”, Johann Malawana, MD, BMA junior physician committee chair, said in the statement. And nearly 90 percent of junior doctors said they would consider resigning from the NHS if the government does so, according to a poll of more than 1,000 medics seen exclusively by The Independent, highlighting the strength of opposition to the proposals.
The association has said that working longer and more anti-social hours will result in junior doctors being overworked – resulting in risky conditions for patients.
It is understood the Government is set to announce a review of Junior Doctors’ training in England covering areas outside contract negotiations.
On a typical day, around 26,000 junior doctors are in work.
Doctors working one in four or more Saturdays will receive a pay premium of 30%.
Professor Joe Harrison, the chief executive of Milton Keynes Hospital, has admitted he feels the imposed contract on junior doctors is “deeply regrettable”.
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Now there is mounting speculation ministers may soon seek to impose a new contract, potentially inflaming the row further.
