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Health secretary to meet doctors over contract row Health secretary to meet doctors over contract row
(about 3 hours later)
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has agreed to meet junior doctors' leaders after the decision to ballot medics on industrial action over a new contract.Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has agreed to meet junior doctors' leaders after the decision to ballot medics on industrial action over a new contract.
On Saturday the British Medical Association announced it would be asking members in England about whether they wanted to take action. On Saturday, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced it would be asking members in England about whether they wanted to take action.
The dispute is over a new contract due to be introduced in August 2016.The dispute is over a new contract due to be introduced in August 2016.
Critics say it could lead to pay cuts of 15% with "normal hours" re-classed as 7am and 10pm Monday to Saturday. Critics say it could mean 15% pay cuts with "normal hours" re-classed as being from 7am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday.
It means extra payments for unsociable working will only be given outside of these times rather than the current arrangements of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday. It means extra payments for unsociable working will only be given outside of these times, rather than the current arrangements of 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.
The government has described the current contracts as "outdated" and "unfair", pointing out they were introduced in the 1990s.The government has described the current contracts as "outdated" and "unfair", pointing out they were introduced in the 1990s.
Ministers drew up plans to change the contract in 2012 but talks broke down last year.Ministers drew up plans to change the contract in 2012 but talks broke down last year.
The government has indicated it will impose the new contract next year in England, prompting the BMA to ask its 53,000 junior doctor members about industrial action.The government has indicated it will impose the new contract next year in England, prompting the BMA to ask its 53,000 junior doctor members about industrial action.
But Mr Hunt has now offered the BMA junior doctors' leaders the opportunity to meet this week to see if there is a solution to the dispute. The BMA has said it will meet with him. But Mr Hunt has now offered the BMA junior doctors' leaders the opportunity to meet this week to see if they can find a solution to the dispute - the BMA has agreed to attend.
Protest
Scotland and Wales have said they do not want to introduce the changes, while Northern Ireland has yet to make a decision.Scotland and Wales have said they do not want to introduce the changes, while Northern Ireland has yet to make a decision.
Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, which negotiates contracts on behalf of the government, said he hoped the meeting would bring the two sides closer.Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, which negotiates contracts on behalf of the government, said he hoped the meeting would bring the two sides closer.
"Our preferred position has always been to negotiate with the BMA.""Our preferred position has always been to negotiate with the BMA."
An open meeting tonight held at Westminster's Central Hall in London between frontline junior doctors - as opposed to the BMA's leadership - and NHS Employers has now been called off. An open meeting due to be held on Monday evening at Westminster's Central Hall between frontline junior doctors - as opposed to the BMA's leadership - and NHS Employers was called off following Mr Hunt's move.
A protest at the venue by junior doctors is expected to go ahead however. A protest at the venue by junior doctors did go ahead, however.
Dr Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctor committee chairman, said his organisation "has been clear about what it needs to hear from the government and NHS Employers to bring us back to the negotiating table".
"We will be continuing with our action unless the government themselves can give us the absolute assurances we seek on behalf of the doctors we represent."