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Junior doctor dispute 'to go to Acas' Junior doctor dispute 'to go to Acas'
(35 minutes later)
The government has agreed to talks at Acas in the dispute with junior doctors - and is now urging the British Medical Association to call off its strikes.The government has agreed to talks at Acas in the dispute with junior doctors - and is now urging the British Medical Association to call off its strikes.
The first of three days of industrial action is due to take place next week.The first of three days of industrial action is due to take place next week.
BMA leader Dr Mark Porter had said he was willing to go to independent arbitration when the results of the strike ballot were announced last week. BMA leaders had said they would be prepared to go to to the conciliation service when the results of the strike ballot were announced last week.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has now written to him confirming he has agreed to those talks. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has now written to them confirming he is willing to go to Acas.
But he said he would like the union to call off the strikes to "avoid harming vulnerable patients". He had initially said he would rather not enter talks as his door had remained open all summer.
The first walk-out is due to take place on Tuesday, starting at 8am and lasting 24 hours. But in a letter to BMA leader Dr Mark Porter he has now said it is "time to work together" and call off the strikes to "avoid harming vulnerable patients".
What is Acas?
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) is an independent body that can help two parties - normally an employer and union - resolve employment disputes.
There are several services offered, including arbitration where Acas is asked to make a decision in the dispute.
But the two sides involved here have been talking about conciliation, which means Acas is just being asked to host the talks rather than make binding recommendations.
Want to know more about the dispute?
The first walk-out is due to take place on Tuesday 1 December, starting at 8am and lasting 24 hours.
The BMA has yet to respond.The BMA has yet to respond.
Mr Hunt's letter - seen by the BBC - says he is "disappointed" that the BMA has refused to agree to the offer he has put forward.
And it adds: "The extreme strike action planned in December poses a serious threat to that safety."
But it does not rule out imposing the contract if necessary - one of the key sticking points for the BMA.