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Junior doctors' contract set to be imposed Junior doctors' contract set to be imposed
(35 minutes later)
Ministers are expected to impose a contract on junior doctors in England later.Ministers are expected to impose a contract on junior doctors in England later.
It comes after chief negotiator Sir David Dalton advised the government to do "whatever it deems necessary" to end the deadlock.It comes after chief negotiator Sir David Dalton advised the government to do "whatever it deems necessary" to end the deadlock.
The British Medical Association (BMA) rejected a "final take-it-or-leave-it" government offer on Wednesday, which included a concession on Saturday pay.The British Medical Association (BMA) rejected a "final take-it-or-leave-it" government offer on Wednesday, which included a concession on Saturday pay.
Doctors concluded a second 24-hour strike at 08:00 GMT on Thursday. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is due to make a statement to Parliament soon.
The news has emerged as junior doctors concluded a second 24-hour strike at 08:00 GMT in their long-running dispute about pay and conditions.
There are 55,000 junior doctors in England - a third of the medical workforce.
The contract offered by the government would have seen those working at least one in four Saturdays get extra pay for each one they work. The move represented a more generous offer than the previous proposal, when the bar for extra pay was set at one in three.The contract offered by the government would have seen those working at least one in four Saturdays get extra pay for each one they work. The move represented a more generous offer than the previous proposal, when the bar for extra pay was set at one in three.
The offer also included increasing fines levied against trusts for over-working doctors, and increasing the extra pay medics get for very long hours.The offer also included increasing fines levied against trusts for over-working doctors, and increasing the extra pay medics get for very long hours.
The set of proposals was presented to the BMA on Tuesday evening, on the eve of the strike, and rejected on Wednesday afternoon when the walk-out was in full swing.The set of proposals was presented to the BMA on Tuesday evening, on the eve of the strike, and rejected on Wednesday afternoon when the walk-out was in full swing.
During the strike doctors provided emergency cover, but the stoppage led to the cancellation of nearly 3,000 routine operations and treatments. GP care was largely unaffected.During the strike doctors provided emergency cover, but the stoppage led to the cancellation of nearly 3,000 routine operations and treatments. GP care was largely unaffected.
The junior doctors row explainedThe junior doctors row explained
Analysis: Time for the nuclear option?Analysis: Time for the nuclear option?
What exactly do junior doctors do?What exactly do junior doctors do?
How does your job compare?How does your job compare?
The offer was made by Sir David, the chief executive of Salford Royal Hospital, who was brought in by ministers last month to broker a deal in the bitter dispute.The offer was made by Sir David, the chief executive of Salford Royal Hospital, who was brought in by ministers last month to broker a deal in the bitter dispute.
In his letter to the British Medical Association (BMA) on Tuesday, he said it was a final offer and that if it was rejected it would mean there is "no realistic prospect of a negotiated agreement".In his letter to the British Medical Association (BMA) on Tuesday, he said it was a final offer and that if it was rejected it would mean there is "no realistic prospect of a negotiated agreement".
He has now advised ministers there is no more he can do in a letter sent on Thursday morning. He has now advised ministers there is no more he can do in a letter sent on Thursday morning. It also says if ministers introduce a new contract they should make it as close as possible to the final offer he made on Tuesday.
The BMA rejected the offer, sticking to its stance that any Saturday working should attract higher pay. The letter says Sir David's stance is supported by both NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, the key bodies with represent health managers.
In a letter to Sir David, the union reiterated its proposal made previously that basic pay be increased by only about half the 11% offered by ministers to help pay for it. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is expected to make an announcement in the House of Commons at lunchtime.
In a letter to Sir David to reject the offer, the union stuck to its stance that any Saturday working should attract higher pay. It also reiterated its counter proposal made previously that basic pay be increased by only about half the 11% offered by ministers to help pay for it.
If imposed, the new contracts would then come into force from August. They would apply to all new junior doctors immediately but would also be forced on the rest of the workforce as existing junior doctors changed their rotations regularly - it is expected 80% would be on it within six months.If imposed, the new contracts would then come into force from August. They would apply to all new junior doctors immediately but would also be forced on the rest of the workforce as existing junior doctors changed their rotations regularly - it is expected 80% would be on it within six months.
It is unclear at the moment how the BMA will respond to imposition, although their mandate allows them to call more strikes.It is unclear at the moment how the BMA will respond to imposition, although their mandate allows them to call more strikes.
On Wednesday evening, BMA junior doctor leader Dr Johann Malawana said the government had "attacked" and "patronised" the profession.On Wednesday evening, BMA junior doctor leader Dr Johann Malawana said the government had "attacked" and "patronised" the profession.
"The health secretary can end this dispute, but he must put politics to one side and concentrate on agreeing a fair contract that delivers for patients.""The health secretary can end this dispute, but he must put politics to one side and concentrate on agreeing a fair contract that delivers for patients."
Are you affected by the junior doctors' contract dispute? What are your views on the latest developments? haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. Chris Ham, chief executive of the the King's Fund think tank, said no government has ever previously imposed a contract on junior doctors, and to do so would be a "huge risk".
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: "As long as that public support for junior doctors remains in place, the government has an uphill struggle to persuade the public it's doing the right thing at the right time.
Or use the form below "Nobody argues against seven-day working. But there's a really important discussion to be had about, will the junior doctors' contract really help that - or are other things far more important? The government really is entering very dangerous territory."