Rachel Clarke, a junior doctor in Oxford, said as a result of Jeremy Hunt's actions she may no longer stay in the medical profession.

She says: "I don't think there is a single junior doctor in my hospital that is not firmly resolved to strike for as long as it takes."

But she warned there were worse consequences than simply industrial action.

"Imposing this contract is going to drive junior doctors out of the NHS," she said.

"I know directly myself of many junior doctors in my trust who have already accepted jobs in Australia who are poised to resign today if this contract is imposed.

"It's a catastrophe for the NHS."

Chief negotiator Sir David Dalton, who was brought in by ministers to try and broker a deal, has given an interview to the BBC.

He said: "I met with the BMA on Tuesday and I put to them the best and final offer.

"I said very clearly to the BMA leaders that this would be the final position and they needed to respond to that.

"We set a deadline and that wasn't met, so I have to conclude that we have reached the end of road of negotiations now, and therefore have advised the Secretary of State that we in the health service should not continue with the disruptions that come from uncertainty.

"He should take whatever steps are necessary now to introduce the contract."

He described the final offer made by the government as "substantial".

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens has said that drawn out industrial action would cause "disruption to patients who are relying on NHS care", and that the NHS is "right" to say a contract should be now implemented for junior doctors. 

Norman Smith
Assistant political editor

Labour have warned Jeremy Hunt that imposing a new contract on junior doctors could lead to months of industrial action in the NHS. 

They warn the move could also undermine Mr Hunt's efforts to introduce a seven-days-a-week NHS.

Labour say Mr Hunt should continue with the current negotiations in order to try and reach a negotiated agreement. 

They say by imposing the new contract Mr Hunt risks jeopardising talks with the consultants who are central to guaranteeing a seven-days-a-week NHS. 

The consultants are also represented by the BMA. 

"The BMA will be in no mood to compromise," said a Labour source. 

They also predict the move to impose a contract will lead to more junior doctors leaving the NHS.

The British Medical Association says it will not be making any formal response over the junior doctors contracts until after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has made his statement in the Commons.

Prof Chris Ham is the chief executive of the think tank, The King's Fund. He told BBC Radio 4 that no government has ever previously imposed a contract on junior doctors, and to do so would be a "huge risk".

He said: "As long as that public support for junior doctors remains in place, the government has an uphill struggle to persuade the public it's doing the right thing at the right time. 

"Nobody argues against seven-day working. But there's a really important discussion to be had about, will the junior doctors' contract really help that - or are other things far more important? 

"So the government really is entering very dangerous territory."

Norman Smith
Assistant political editor

Sir David's letter continues: "Both parties have acknowledged that there are underlying issues which, over a number of years, have created the conditions for doctors in training to feel a high level of discontent. 

"I wish to confirm my recommendation to you that an urgent review of these long-standing concerns should be established which can make meaningful recommendations to improve the welfare and morale of trainees."

To read his letter in full click here, external.  

In his latest letter to Jeremy Hunt, Sir David says: "I therefore advise the government to do whatever it deems necessary to end uncertainty for the service and to make sure that a new contract is in place which is as close to the final position put forward by the BMA yesterday."

Ministers are expected to impose a contract on junior doctors later. 

It comes after chief negotiator Sir David Dalton advised the government to do "whatever it deems necessary" to end the deadlock and "uncertainty for the service". 

A new letter from Sir David Dalton to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has just been made public.

The BMA rejected a "final take-it-or-leave-it" offer made by the government on Wednesday, which included a concession on Saturday pay.

This letter, which was sent yesterday, outline's the BMA's response to the offer.

Dr Johann Malawana, chairman of the BMA junior doctors' committee, shows the union disputes the government's claim the BMA never made an offer to try and resolve matters.

Read it in full here, external.

In case you missed it here is the letter, external Sir David Dalton sent to BMA with a final "take-it-or-leave-it" contract offer. 

Sir David is the hospital boss brought in last month by ministers to try and broker a deal.

A 24-hour strike by junior doctors in England has now ended - but no deal has been reached in the dispute over contracts.

Doctors' leaders have rejected the latest offer, so will the government impose its contract?

Image source, PA

Will Jeremy Hunt do "what he said he would do" if doctors rejected the final contract offer, BBC news correspondent Dan Johnson asks.

Our correspondent says it would be "controversial and unpopular" to impose the contracts on junior doctors, but it's what Mr Hunt said he would do - so "all eyes" are on the health secretary.

Dr Johann Malawana, chairman of the BMA's junior doctor committee, says the contract on offer shows the government is "still not listening".

“Rather than acknowledging junior doctors’ concerns from the start, Jeremy Hunt has attacked and patronised them and rejected a fair and affordable offer put forward by the BMA," he says. 

He says the BMA's "door remains open", adding: "The health secretary can end this dispute, but he must put politics to one side and concentrate on agreeing a fair contract that deliver for patients, junior doctors and the NHS in the long run.”

If the government imposes a new contract, it poses "very big questions" for both ministers and doctors, BBC political correspondent Chris Mason says.

Ministers will wonder where such a move would "leave their relationship with doctors, who could potentially still strike further", he says.

Meanwhile he says doctors will wonder if they will "hold on to public opinion" if they continue with industrial action. 

"Talks took place within government last night and with senior managers in the NHS about imposing a contract on junior doctors following rejection of final offer," BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle says.

"An announcement on imposition may even come today."

The Guardian

The strike by junior doctors has been debated by commentators in some of the national newspapers. Writing in the Guardian, external, Simon Jenkins says the cause of the strike is the government's attempts to remedy "disastrous reforms" brought in by the last Labour government.

He adds the NHS requires "tough love":