Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has refused to get again around the desk with junior docs till they name off their industrial motion.
The medics, who make up almost half of all docs in NHS England, started their second of three strike days on Thursday over pay and circumstances, with an extra six walkouts deliberate for January.
Talks between their union, the British Medical Association (BMA), and the federal government collapsed earlier this month when ministers did not put a last provide on the desk earlier than the union’s deadline – resulting in strike dates being set.
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Reports prompt a further pay rise of round 3% – on high of the 8.8% really helpful by the unbiased pay evaluate physique in April – was placed on the desk by the federal government.
But the BMA stated that might quantity to real-term pay cuts for its members following years of below-inflation pay rises, with solely an increase of 35% bringing pay again to 2008 ranges.
And whereas each side say they’re keen to barter, the federal government is standing by its place of not holding talks whereas strikes are on the desk, and the BMA won’t cancel the motion, branding ministers “an irrational partner”.
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Atkins stated she was “very much keen to negotiate with junior doctors”, including: “If they call off the strikes, we will get straight back around that table and continue to negotiate.
“Because, after all, there is not simply an financial price to those strikes. There can be a really human price to this, and there can be folks at dwelling watching this programme who’re in ache, who’re in misery and whose appointments have been cancelled over these three-day durations.”
Asked if there could be more money for junior docs, the well being secretary stated “yes”, and that she needed to “find fair and reasonable settlements with those parts of the workforce who have either taken part in industrial action or who are concerned”.
But pushed over why, if there may be money accessible, she will not kick off talks instantly, Ms Atkins stated: “NHS England is a little bit like an oil tanker. The moment that a strike is called, that has very very serious consequences for the whole of the system.
“So for the final week and a half, managers, medical administrators, clinicians up and down the nation have been devoting days and days of preparation to attempt to hold the system steady throughout these strikes and now we have to have certainty from the junior docs committee whereby they name off the strikes, then we are able to go into negotiation.”
She added: “I can not flick NHS England on and off like a swap. And by the best way, that is the precept we apply throughout the general public sector. And so it’s proper that we deal with folks… when unions are having discussions with authorities, it is proper that we deal with folks the identical.
“And we have always said if there are strikes happening at the moment, affecting patients, affecting the public, we will not negotiate, but the moment they call them off I will be back around that table.”
Co-chair of the BMA’s junior docs committee, Dr Robert Laurenson, instructed Sky News on Wednesday that it was “completely reckless” for the federal government to have a suggestion they have been keen to make, however refuse to take action through the strikes.
“It’s actually madness and it’s the behaviour of an irrational partner,” he stated. “The government have the power to sort this out by giving us something sensible to put to our members, and until they do that, we have nothing to put to our members.”
Elsewhere within the UK, junior docs in Wales are planning a 72-hour strike from 15 January, whereas junior docs in Northern Ireland are being balloted for potential strike motion.
Staff in Scotland have already come to an settlement with the Scottish authorities.
Source: information.sky.com”