Junior doctor strike set to go ahead after talks 'break down'
From Pulse Today
Junior doctors in England are set to take to industrial action on Tuesday next week, after talks between the BMA and NHS Employers failed to produce an agreement, the BMA has announced.
The BMA suspended strike action over the junior doctors contract in December just a day before it was due to go ahead, after reaching an agreement with NHS Employers and the Department of Health to enter ’direct and meaningful’ negotiations.
The BMA said that the Government had failed to address junior doctors’ concerns about ‘contractual safeguards on safe working, and proper recognition for those working unsocial hours’.
BMA chair Dr Mark Porter said: ’Throughout this process the BMA has been clear that it wants to reach agreement on a contract that is good for patients, junior doctors and the NHS. This is why, despite overwhelming support for industrial action, the BMA instead sought conciliation talks with the Government, talks which were initially rejected and delayed by Jeremy Hunt.
’After weeks of further negotiations, it is clear that the Government is still not taking junior doctors’ concerns seriously. Furthermore, the Government has repeatedly dragged its feet throughout this process, initially rejecting our offer of talks and failing to make significant movement during negotiations.
’We sincerely regret the disruption that industrial action will cause, but junior doctors have been left with no option. It is because the Government’s proposals would be bad for patient care as well as junior doctors in the long-term that we are taking this stand.’
