This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36211045
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Ministers and junior doctors agree to new contract talks | Ministers and junior doctors agree to new contract talks |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has welcomed the agreement from the government and the British Medical Association to return to talks over the new junior doctors' contract in England. | The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has welcomed the agreement from the government and the British Medical Association to return to talks over the new junior doctors' contract in England. |
The Academy had appealed for both sides to end the dispute after strikes and thousands of cancelled operations. | The Academy had appealed for both sides to end the dispute after strikes and thousands of cancelled operations. |
Junior doctors have been striking over plans to impose new working conditions. | Junior doctors have been striking over plans to impose new working conditions. |
Talks over the controversial new contract broke down in February. | Talks over the controversial new contract broke down in February. |
The government has said it is willing to pause the introduction of the junior doctors' contract in England for five days from Monday to allow for talks. | The government has said it is willing to pause the introduction of the junior doctors' contract in England for five days from Monday to allow for talks. |
But it said the doctors' union must focus discussions on outstanding contractual issues such as unsocial hours and Saturday pay. | But it said the doctors' union must focus discussions on outstanding contractual issues such as unsocial hours and Saturday pay. |
Five-day pause | Five-day pause |
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt indicated the government was willing to compromise. | Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt indicated the government was willing to compromise. |
"We've already made three significant compromises on Saturday pay but what we can't do is have a system where hospitals can't afford to roster enough doctors on a Saturday. | "We've already made three significant compromises on Saturday pay but what we can't do is have a system where hospitals can't afford to roster enough doctors on a Saturday. |
"That's the situation we have at the moment - about three times less medical cover at weekends." | "That's the situation we have at the moment - about three times less medical cover at weekends." |
He added: "I hope very much that the BMA will take up the offer to talk constructively." | He added: "I hope very much that the BMA will take up the offer to talk constructively." |
The Prime Minister also welcomed the possibility of talks between ministers and the British Medical Association, saying it was important that the talks focussed on the "10%" of issues in the contract that had not been agreed, "particularly Saturday working". | The Prime Minister also welcomed the possibility of talks between ministers and the British Medical Association, saying it was important that the talks focussed on the "10%" of issues in the contract that had not been agreed, "particularly Saturday working". |
The British Medical Association has agreed to stall any new threats of strikes - also for five days. | The British Medical Association has agreed to stall any new threats of strikes - also for five days. |
Dr Johann Malawana, the BMA junior doctor chairman, said: "Junior doctors have said since the outset that we want to reach a negotiated agreement, and have repeatedly urged the government to re-enter talks. | Dr Johann Malawana, the BMA junior doctor chairman, said: "Junior doctors have said since the outset that we want to reach a negotiated agreement, and have repeatedly urged the government to re-enter talks. |
"We are keen to restart talks with an open mind. | "We are keen to restart talks with an open mind. |
"It is critical to find a way forward on all the outstanding issues - which are more than just pay - and hope that a new offer is made that can break the impasse." | "It is critical to find a way forward on all the outstanding issues - which are more than just pay - and hope that a new offer is made that can break the impasse." |
'Way forward' | 'Way forward' |
Rob Webster, from the NHS Confederation that represents NHS trusts in England, welcomed the move. | Rob Webster, from the NHS Confederation that represents NHS trusts in England, welcomed the move. |
He told the BBC: "It's critical that we've now got an agreement it seems that people get back into the room and talk. | He told the BBC: "It's critical that we've now got an agreement it seems that people get back into the room and talk. |
"It gives me some hope that we can get a way out of this dispute which will be good for the NHS and good for patients." | "It gives me some hope that we can get a way out of this dispute which will be good for the NHS and good for patients." |
Professor Dame Sue Bailey, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, called on both sides to end the stand-off after months of wrangling which have led to strike action. | Professor Dame Sue Bailey, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, called on both sides to end the stand-off after months of wrangling which have led to strike action. |
She told the BBC said she was optimistic about the outcome of more talks. | She told the BBC said she was optimistic about the outcome of more talks. |
"I think if they're in a safe space with a good senior person there from outside health, they can look at the remaining areas, the 5 to 10% cent that needs to be agreed. | "I think if they're in a safe space with a good senior person there from outside health, they can look at the remaining areas, the 5 to 10% cent that needs to be agreed. |
"And really this has to be the way forward because, if we don't, I think in the future we will look back with regret." | "And really this has to be the way forward because, if we don't, I think in the future we will look back with regret." |
Analysis | Analysis |
Hugh Pym, health editor, BBC News | Hugh Pym, health editor, BBC News |
If a week is a long time in politics, 24 hours is a long time in the junior doctors dispute. | If a week is a long time in politics, 24 hours is a long time in the junior doctors dispute. |
That's the time it took for a new proposal to get the government and the BMA back to the negotiating table to emerge and then be fully analysed and accepted in principle by both sides. | That's the time it took for a new proposal to get the government and the BMA back to the negotiating table to emerge and then be fully analysed and accepted in principle by both sides. |
At one stage in that timetable it looked as if the proposal for a five day "pause" would hit the buffers as the Government indicated it was not possible to change the process of imposing a new contract. | At one stage in that timetable it looked as if the proposal for a five day "pause" would hit the buffers as the Government indicated it was not possible to change the process of imposing a new contract. |
Then came a change of tack by ministers as they decided they could after all put imposition on hold for five days and start talking again about doctors' pay. | Then came a change of tack by ministers as they decided they could after all put imposition on hold for five days and start talking again about doctors' pay. |
There is no certainty the talks will get off the ground. The BMA wants a wider agenda and details of the process have not been thrashed out. | There is no certainty the talks will get off the ground. The BMA wants a wider agenda and details of the process have not been thrashed out. |
But after three months with no talks and several strikes there is now some prospect of a way out of this dispute. | But after three months with no talks and several strikes there is now some prospect of a way out of this dispute. |
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had accused the BMA of refusing to negotiate over Saturday pay and said he would press on with introducing the contract. | Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had accused the BMA of refusing to negotiate over Saturday pay and said he would press on with introducing the contract. |
While the BMA said there were wider unresolved issues over working hours and it was unfair to impose a contract rather than continuing discussions. | While the BMA said there were wider unresolved issues over working hours and it was unfair to impose a contract rather than continuing discussions. |
Between January and early April there were four strikes by junior doctors in England affecting routine but not urgent care. | Between January and early April there were four strikes by junior doctors in England affecting routine but not urgent care. |
Last week there were two one-day strikes affecting all forms of care, including emergencies - the first such action in the history of the NHS. | Last week there were two one-day strikes affecting all forms of care, including emergencies - the first such action in the history of the NHS. |
Only yesterday a Department of Health spokesperson was said "it is now too late to change the process of bringing in contracts". | |
But speaking in the House of Lords, the health minister Lord Prior of Brampton said Mr Hunt was willing to "pause" the introduction of the new contract. | But speaking in the House of Lords, the health minister Lord Prior of Brampton said Mr Hunt was willing to "pause" the introduction of the new contract. |
However he insisted that weekend pay must be on the agenda. | However he insisted that weekend pay must be on the agenda. |
Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the offer of a pause and said the two sides had to resume discussions. | Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the offer of a pause and said the two sides had to resume discussions. |
"It is imperative that Jeremy Hunt puts his pride to one side and resumes negotiations with the BMA." | "It is imperative that Jeremy Hunt puts his pride to one side and resumes negotiations with the BMA." |