BMA re-enters contract talks

The BMA will today re-enter talks with the Government over the junior doctors’ contract. It comes after the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges called on both sides in the dispute to return to the table — with negotiations chaired by a third party. Five days of ‘intensive talks’ from Monday to Friday are planned and ACAS chair Sir Brendan Barber will lead the negotiations. BMA junior doctors committee chair Johann Malawana (pictured) said he hoped ‘real progress can be made’. He said: ‘The BMA has agreed to re-enter talks with the Government on outstanding issues in this dispute, which include, but are not limited to, unsocial hours. ‘Junior doctors’ concerns extend far beyond pay, and our principle in talks will be to deliver a fair contract that does not discriminate against women or any other group, one which addresses the recruitment and retention crisis in the NHS and which provides the basis for delivering a world-class health service. ‘The BMA will also call for any contract offer — agreed or not — to be put to a referendum of junior doctors, as is usual following a contract negotiation. ‘We hope that with both parties back around the negotiating table, real progress can be made to end this dispute through talks.’   Impact on women It comes after previous talks broke down and health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced his decision to impose the contract on junior doctors in February. J...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news