TALKS between Wes Streeting and militant junior doctors have ended in a stalemate.
The impasse leaves open the threat of damaging NHS strikes beginning in a week’s time.
GettyTalks between Wes Streeting and militant junior doctors have ended in a stalemate[/caption]
Health Secretary Mr Streeting insisted he could not give in to the British Medical Association’s demands for a 29 per cent pay rise.
But there was a glimmer of hope as it agreed to continue talks to avert the five-day walkout from next Friday.
Last year, the BMA bagged a 22 per cent pay rise over two years.
The Health Secretary has said resident doctors’ pay has risen by 28.9 per cent over the past three years.
Mr Streeting added: “We’ll be having further conversations in the coming days to try to avert strikes.
“While we can’t move on pay after a 28.9 per cent pay rise, we are working on areas where we can improve working lives for resident doctors.
“Strikes have a serious cost for patients, so I am appealing to the British Medical Association to call them off and instead work together to improve their members’ working conditions.”
The Department of Health is also reportedly looking at student loan help for younger doctors who rack up debts of up to £100,000 — although suggestions they will be wiped have been denied.
Junior doctors, now called resident doctors, admitted that the public did not want them to strike.
Dr Melissa Ryan, of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, was asked if it would accept better working conditions instead of cash.
She said: “We’re willing to be here. We’re interested to hear what Mr Streeting has to say.”
Up to 50,000 doctors are set to walk out on July 25 until 7am on July 30.
Tens of thousands of appointments will be cancelled if the strikes go ahead, it is feared.
GettyJunior doctors admitted that the public did not want them to strike[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
