Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he is prepared to impose seven-day working on hospital doctors, telling the BBC that a "Monday to Friday culture" in parts of the NHS had "tragic consequences" and said 6,000 people die each year because of this.

British Medical Association (BMA) leader Dr Mark Porter said the union supported more seven-day working but accused Mr Hunt of being "too simplistic".

A September 2015 deadline is expected to be set by Mr Hunt for a deal with the BMA, which pulled out of talks last year amid concerns over workload.

The current consultant contract means senior doctors can opt out of weekend work as long as it is non-emergency in nature - although they are still expected to be on call. By ensuring all new consultants do not have this right, Mr Hunt believes over the course of the parliament he will gradually get enough senior doctors in place to drive up standards at weekends.

While he is within his powers to impose such a deal, the move threatens to sour relations with the medical profession - especially as a number of hospitals have already started altering rota patterns to create a more even spread of cover.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Hunt said: "The problem dates back to 2003 when the then government gave consultants the right to opt out of working at weekends - that's a right that nurses don't have, midwives don't have, paramedics, ambulance drivers and so on don't have and that has created a Monday to Friday culture in many parts of the NHS with tragic consequences for patients.”

"And if you want the evidence it's very straightforward. We have around 6,000 avoidable deaths every year because if you are admitted to hospital on a Sunday you have a 15% higher chance of dying than if you are admitted on a Wednesday."

He said it was "not a war against consultants" and that "many medical directors" and professional bodies "want that sense of vocation and professionalism brought back into the contract".

"If you are admitted on a Friday afternoon or a Saturday and there isn't a consultant there that is one of the critical things that can lead to an avoidable death. We are not asking any doctor to work longer hours or unsafe hours... but there will be times where we do need that senior consultant cover at weekends," Mr Hunt concluded.

The BMA has argued that to improve care at weekends you also need more support services such as diagnostics and pathology as well as care in the community to allow patients to be discharged.

Dr Porter commented: "Today's announcement is nothing more than a wholesale attack on doctors to mask the fact that for two years the government has failed to outline any concrete proposals. How will he ensure there isn't a reduction in mid-week services or fewer doctors on wards Monday to Friday?"

Andrew Preston, Managing Director of healthcare staffing provider de Poel health+care, also expressed concerns: “In what can be branded as a Utopian speech, Hunt issued an ultimatum announcing that a new weekend working contract will be imposed on new NHS consultants, unless they agree to the changes within six weeks. The British Medical Association (BMA) has reacted strongly labelling it as a “simplistic approach” and called for an outline of concrete proposals for introducing more seven-day hospital services.”

“Hunt’s “get real” response to BMA was followed by more details of what this new contract will bring. At its core is the seven-day working provision, with Hunt saying it will be essential if the NHS is to make efficiency savings and meet its target of becoming a truly seven-day service by 2020. Hunt also alluded to an abolition of overtime payments that he described as “extortionate”.”

“Hunt’s bold and ill-informed comments only prove that there is still a gross misconception of what doctors, nurses, consultants –a large proportion of the NHS workforce – are being paid, and should be paid. Whilst de Poel health+care recognises that monitoring labour costs and keeping these to a minimum is a crucial component in the balancing act of running the NHS, there is concern that Hunt’s vision to convert temporary staffing solutions into permanent roles is neither realistic nor viable.”

“As Managing Director of de Poel health+care […] I am acutely aware of the continual challenges faced in this sector involving staff shortages, compliance, visibility and control and patient safety. In [the] Government’s promise to deliver a 24-7 service, the use of agency workers will be more vital than ever, as continuity of care will move even further towards shift work.”

“Following Hunt’s announcement today, I would implore [the] NHS to adopt a more long-term strategic view on how best to tap into temporary labour and recognise that this is an integral part of the UK plc’s workforce. Rather than issuing ultimatums, NHS urgently needs to recognise that this workforce will be relied upon to plug the gaps in the coming months and years. By addressing this, not only will NHS ensure it is cost-effective, but more crucially that safe staffing levels are maintained, aiding the “transition to patient power”, as Hunt envisages for the next 25 years,” Mr Preston concluded.