26.11.15
Junior doctor talks to resume today
Conciliation talks between the BMA, NHS Employers and the Department of Health will resume today in an attempt to avert next week’s strike action.
Before entering yesterday’s discussions, the BMA warned that the health secretary must remove his threat of imposing a contract on doctors in training in England to defer Tuesday’s planned action.
None of the parties involved have issued statements since talks began, but an Acas spokesperson said: “Talks under the auspices of Acas between NHS Employers, the Department of Health and the BMA have adjourned for the day and will resume tomorrow (27 November).”
After initially refusing to go to Acas after last week’s strike ballot, which revealed more than 98% of junior doctors voted in favour of full strike action, Jeremy Hunt wrote to the BMA earlier this week saying “it is clear that any talks are better than strikes”.
Hunt did however add that the government has committed an extra £3.8bn next year to expand seven-day services and with that had to come reform of contracts.
Officials at Acas are overseeing the first formal face-to-face discussions in 13 months between the BMA, NHS Employers and Department of Health civil servants.
In response to Hunt’s letter, Dr Mark Porter, the BMA’s council chair, said it was encouraging that the health secretary has made a significant shift in accepting the BMA offer of conciliatory talks through Acas, “finally recognising the fact that trust has broken down between junior doctors and the government”.
“We hope to start these talks as soon as possible in order to reach a collaborative agreement for the benefit of patients and the NHS,” he said. “Importantly, Mr Hunt must finally remove his threat of imposition to defer Tuesday’s industrial action.”
Danny Mortimer, CEO at NHS Employers, added that employers across the NHS will welcome a return to discussions with the BMA, working with Acas conciliation services.
He said: “I remain hopeful that through our joint endeavours we can end this dispute, and modernise the contracts for doctors whilst also addressing their concerns.”
For more information on the junior doctor row and to keep up to date with stories, access NHE's exclusive timeline of events dating back to 2013.
(Image: c. Steve Eason)