BMA agrees to restart contract talks

The BMA has agreed to return to negotiations with the Government on the junior doctors’ contract — and has called for a deal which could ‘break the impasse’. The association immediately accepted the AoMRC's (Academy of Medical Royal Colleges) plea for a five-day break, which means the Government will pause the introduction of the contract while outstanding issues are discussed. The Department of Health initially appeared to refuse the offer — suggesting that the contract must go ahead — but has now agreed to return to talks, which are planned to resume on Monday. BMA junior doctors committee chair Johann Malawana 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. ‘As suggested by the academy, 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.’   'Genuine dialogue' The proposal came in a letter from the AoMRC, sent on Thursday morning, which says the dispute had led to junior doctors considering alternative careers and urges a resumption in talks. It suggests the negotiations could be led by an independent chair. AoMRC chair Professor Dame Sue Bailey said: ‘A five-day pause without ifs, buts or maybes and with both sides in the dispute public...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news