DHSC statement on BMA strike

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

“Further strikes will risk patient safety and cause further disruption.

“The Health and Social Care Secretary met the BMA’s junior doctors committee yesterday in the hope of beginning constructive talks to resolve the current dispute.

“The BMA placed a pre-condition on these talks of a 35% pay rise. That is unreasonable.

“Our door remains open to constructive conversations, as we have had with other health unions, to find a realistic way forward which balances rewarding junior doctors for their hard work while being fair to the taxpayer.”

Background

• DHSC has published a media fact sheet on NHS pay here: NHS strikes - media fact sheet - Department of Health and Social Care Media Centre (blog.gov.uk)
• We asked the BMA to agree to standard principles of engagement while negotiations take place, including confidentiality, which other health unions accepted