The BMA junior doctors' committee and government have mutually
agreed to explore mediation, a significant step forward which
could ultimately end strike action by doctors in training.
Both parties have agreed a preferred mediator. The union and the
government will now begin the process of engaging with them.
Ending strike action will allow doctors in training to focus on
patient care and consolidate the government's recent historic
progress on waiting lists – with the latest data showing the
biggest six-month reduction in over 10 years outside of the
pandemic.
NHS consultants have already voted overwhelmingly in favour of a
revised offer from the government in a major breakthrough which
brought an end to their industrial dispute.
That deal will help address the gender pay gap in medicine, and
also gives consultants more clarity on their pay progression
arrangements. It also provides consultants with more confidence
in the review body that advises government on rates of pay for
doctors and dentists.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“As Secretary of State for Health and Social
Care, my duty is to patients and I want to pursue all avenues to
resolve the dispute with the BMA junior doctors committee.
“This will ensure they can focus on delivering
the highest quality care and help consolidate our recent progress
on waiting lists.
“I am pleased the BMA have agreed to explore mediation and I am
hopeful that it will provide a way forward”.
The government has already given doctors in training a pay rise
of up to 10.3% last financial year through the pay review body
process and made clear that further investment was available to
resolve the dispute.
The government is undertaking a wider programme of work to
support doctors. Last month, NHS England set out
various measures to improve postgraduate doctors' working
lives following months of engagement with the Department of
Health and Social Care.
It has pledged to enhance choice and flexibility with rotas,
while reducing payroll errors and the financial burden of paying
course fees upfront. NHS England is also working with partners to
consider how it can improve the experience of doctors' rotations
in postgraduate training.
Moving forward, the NHS Long Term Workforce
Plan will support the NHS to address existing vacancies
and meet the challenges of a growing and ageing population by
training, recruiting and retaining hundreds of thousands more
staff over the next 15 years - backed by more than £2.4 billion
in government investment.
