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 talks at Acas | |
(35 minutes later) | |
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, 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 08:00 and lasting 24 hours. | |
What is Acas? | What is Acas? |
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 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." | |
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. |
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 Nick | Read more from Nick |
Follow Nick on Twitter | Follow Nick on Twitter |