‘The BMA will today re-enter talks with the Government over the junior doctors’ contract.
It comes after the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges called on both sides in the dispute to return to the table — with negotiations chaired by a third party.
Five days of ‘intensive talks’ from Monday to Friday are planned and ACAS chair Sir Brendan Barber will lead the negotiations.
BMA junior doctors committee chair Johann Malawana… said he hoped ‘real progress can be made’.
He said: ‘The BMA has agreed to re-enter talks with the Government on outstanding issues in this dispute, which include, but are not limited to, unsocial hours.
‘Junior doctors’ concerns extend far beyond pay, and our principle in talks will be to deliver a fair contract that does not discriminate against women or any other group, one which addresses the recruitment and retention crisis in the NHS and which provides the basis for delivering a world-class health service.
‘The BMA will also call for any contract offer — agreed or not — to be put to a referendum of junior doctors, as is usual following a contract negotiation.
‘We hope that with both parties back around the negotiating table, real progress can be made to end this dispute through talks.’’
The Telegraph:
‘Doctors are due to be moved onto the new contract over an 18-month period starting in August.
As it currently stands the new contract offers an average basic salary increase of 13.5 per cent and a 19% increase in the basic starting salary.
Those who work one in four Saturdays or more will receive a pay premium of 30 percent for all Saturday hours, however the BMA has demanded that any Saturday working, regardless of minimum number of days, attracts the premium rate.
Four strikes took place between January and early April, but they only affected routine and non-urgent care.
Last week’s two-day strike, however, was the first in the history of the NHS to affect all forms of care, including Accident & Emergency departments, intensive care and maternity units.’
Related Articles:
Junior doctors prepare for fresh talks over contracts- The Guardian
BMA agrees to re-enter talks over disputed junior doctor contracts- The Telegraph
British Medical Association to reopen contract talks with Jeremy Hunt- The Guardian
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