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-34915820

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Junior doctor dispute 'to go to Acas' Junior doctor dispute to go to talks at Acas
(35 minutes later)
The government has agreed to talks at Acas in the junior doctors dispute - but the strikes have not been called off. The government has agreed to talks at Acas in the junior doctors' dispute - but strikes have not been called off.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was willing to go to the conciliation service after initially refusing when the strike ballot results were revealed last week.Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was willing to go to the conciliation service after initially refusing when the strike ballot results were revealed last week.
He said the industrial action, which starts next week, should be cancelled to "avoid harming vulnerable patients". He said the industrial action, due to start next week, should be cancelled to "avoid harming vulnerable patients".
But the British Medical Association said the strikes would take place.But the British Medical Association said the strikes would take place.
The first day of action is Tuesday, starting at 8am and lasting 24 hours. The first day of action is Tuesday, starting at 08:00 and lasting 24 hours.
What is Acas?What is Acas?
Acas is an independent body that can help two parties - normally an employer and union - resolve employment disputes. Acas is an independent body that can help parties - normally an employer and unions - resolve employment disputes.
There are several services offered, including arbitration where Acas is asked to make a decision in the dispute.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.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?Want to know more about the dispute?
In a letter to BMA leader Dr Mark Porter, Mr Hunt said it was time to "work together". In a letter to BMA leader Dr Mark Porter, Mr Hunt said it was time to "work together" in the long-running dispute over the new junior doctors contract.
He said he was "disappointed" that the BMA had refused to agree to the offer he had put forward, adding "The extreme strike action planned in December poses a serious threat to that safety." He said he was "disappointed" that the BMA had refused to agree to the offer he had put forward, adding: "The extreme strike action planned in December poses a serious threat to that safety."
But the letter does not make any mention of dropping his threat to impose the contract from next summer - a key sticking point for the BMA.But the letter does not make any mention of dropping his threat to impose the contract from next summer - a key sticking point for the BMA.
That has prompted the union to refuse to call off the strike.That has prompted the union to refuse to call off the strike.
Mr Porter said: "We hope to start these talks as soon as possible in order to reach a collaborative agreement for the benefit of patients and the NHS. Dr Porter said: "We hope to start these talks as soon as possible in order to reach a collaborative agreement for the benefit of patients and the NHS.
"Importantly, Jeremy Hunt must finally remove his threat of imposition in order to defer Tuesday's industrial action.""Importantly, Jeremy Hunt must finally remove his threat of imposition in order to defer Tuesday's industrial action."
Read more from NickRead more from Nick
Follow Nick on TwitterFollow Nick on Twitter