JUNIOR doctors have vowed to keep on fighting after the health secretary won a High Court battle over the introduction of a new contract.

Five junior doctors known as Justice for Health alleged Jeremy Hunt did not have the legal powers to push through the contract after British Medical Association members voted against it.

But judge Mr Justice Green rejected this claim and Hunt’s decision “fell squarely within the scope of his lawful powers”.

But Justice For Health claimed Green’s finding that Hunt was not imposing the contract but merely encouraging employers to introduce it, was a victory.

Now the junior doctors have reached the end of the legal process, the contract will be introduced from October 5.

Earlier this month junior doctors announced plans to strike every month until Christmas.

The industrial action would have seen junior doctors take part in four week-long all-out strikes from 8am to 5pm, in a protest against the Department of Health contract.

But this decision was later abandoned due to concerns over patient safety.

Hundreds of junior doctors gathered on the picket line outside Great Western Hospital during five previous strikes. The hospital saw an acute loss of its workforce while routine appointments and operations encountered interruption and delays.

Dr Ellen McCourt, BMA junior doctor committee chairman, said: "This ruling will do nothing to address the fact that morale amongst junior doctors is at an all-time low.

"Nor will it quell junior doctors’ concerns about the imminent introduction of a flawed contract they have rejected, or the deep sense of anger and mistrust that has built up towards the Government over the last year.

“Faced with a demotivated and frustrated workforce, the Government must prioritise rebuilding the trust that has been lost with a generation of junior doctors – the GPs and hospital doctors of the future. As a first step towards this, it must address junior doctors’ continuing concerns with the contract before it comes into effect.

“With the NHS facing unprecedented pressure, it is critical to focus on how to assure its long-term future. Junior doctors are central to this. If even a small number choose to vote with their feet, this future looks increasingly uncertain.”

The Department of Health welcomed the ruling.