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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Ministers and junior doctors agree to new contract talks | Ministers and junior doctors agree to new contract talks |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has welcomed the agreement from the government and the British Medical Association to return to talks over the new junior doctors' contract in England. | |
| The Academy had appealed for both sides to end the dispute after strikes and thousands of cancelled operations. | |
| Junior doctors have been striking over plans to impose new working conditions. | |
| Talks over the controversial new contract broke down in February. | |
| The government has said it is willing to pause the introduction of the junior doctors' contract in England for five days from Monday to allow for talks. | The government has said it is willing to pause the introduction of the junior doctors' contract in England for five days from Monday to allow for talks. |
| But it said the doctors' union must focus discussions on outstanding contractual issues such as unsocial hours and Saturday pay. | But it said the doctors' union must focus discussions on outstanding contractual issues such as unsocial hours and Saturday pay. |
| Five-day pause | |
| The Prime Minister has welcomed the possibility of talks between ministers and the British Medical Association, saying it was important that the talks focussed on the "10%" of issues in the contract that had not been agreed, "particularly Saturday working". | The Prime Minister has welcomed the possibility of talks between ministers and the British Medical Association, saying it was important that the talks focussed on the "10%" of issues in the contract that had not been agreed, "particularly Saturday working". |
| The British Medical Association has agreed to stall any new threats of strikes - also for five days. | |
| Dr Johann Malawana, the BMA junior doctor chairman, said: "Junior doctors have said since the outset that we want to reach a negotiated agreement, and have repeatedly urged the government to re-enter talks. | |
| "We are keen to restart talks with an open mind. | |
| "It is critical to find a way forward on all the outstanding issues - which are more than just pay - and hope that a new offer is made that can break the impasse." | |
| 'Way forward' | |
| Professor Dame Sue Bailey, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, called on both sides to end the stand-off after months of wrangling which have led to strike action. | |
| She told the BBC said she was optimistic about the outcome of more talks. | |
| "I think if they're in a safe space with a good senior person there from outside health, they can look at the remaining areas, the 5 to 10% cent that needs to be agreed. | |
| "And really this has to be the way forward because, if we don't, I think in the future we will look back with regret." | |
| Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had accused the BMA of refusing to negotiate over Saturday pay and said he would press on with introducing the contract. | Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had accused the BMA of refusing to negotiate over Saturday pay and said he would press on with introducing the contract. |
| While the BMA said there were wider unresolved issues over working hours and it was unfair to impose a contract rather than continuing discussions. | While the BMA said there were wider unresolved issues over working hours and it was unfair to impose a contract rather than continuing discussions. |
| Between January and early April there were four strikes by junior doctors in England affecting routine but not urgent care. | Between January and early April there were four strikes by junior doctors in England affecting routine but not urgent care. |
| Last week there were two one-day strikes affecting all forms of care, including emergencies - the first such action in the history of the NHS. | Last week there were two one-day strikes affecting all forms of care, including emergencies - the first such action in the history of the NHS. |
| Only this morning a Department of Health spokesperson was said "it is now too late to change the process of bringing in contracts". | Only this morning a Department of Health spokesperson was said "it is now too late to change the process of bringing in contracts". |
| But speaking in the House of Lords, the health minister Lord Prior of Brampton said Mr Hunt was willing to "pause" the introduction of the new contract. | But speaking in the House of Lords, the health minister Lord Prior of Brampton said Mr Hunt was willing to "pause" the introduction of the new contract. |
| However he insisted that weekend pay must be on the agenda. | However he insisted that weekend pay must be on the agenda. |
| Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the offer of a pause and said the two sides had to resume discussions. | Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the offer of a pause and said the two sides had to resume discussions. |
| "It is imperative that Jeremy Hunt puts his pride to one side and resumes negotiations with the BMA." | "It is imperative that Jeremy Hunt puts his pride to one side and resumes negotiations with the BMA." |