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The BMA’s junior doctors committee has announced that it has entered a new intensive phase of talks with the government in a bid to put an end to months of strike action.
The talks are facilitated by an external mediator, chosen by jointly by the government and the JDC.
“We have been in dispute for more than a year with the government over declining junior doctor pay, exploring various avenues to try and resolve it,” said JDC co-chairs Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi.
“We have been looking at ways of restoring trust between parties and believe that an independent mediator can help break the logjam. We hope to reach a credible solution as soon as possible,” they added.
BMA have secured new and improved pay offer for SAS doctors
The announcement comes following successful talks between the BMA and the government regarding pay for specialist, associate specialist, and specialty (SAS) doctors in England.
Today, the BMA announced they have secured an improved pay offer for SAS doctors, and they have recommended its members accept the offer.
Members of the SAS committee rejected the government’s previous offer in March, but the BMA says the new offer begins to address the ‘unfavourable difference in pay’ as well as improving the opportunities for career progression.
If accepted, the new offer would see SAS doctors on open contracts receive a pay increase of between 9.5-19.4%. It also offers a consolidated uplift of £1,400 to each pay point for SAS doctors on closed contracts, on top of the 6% awarded from the DDRB for 2023/24.
SAS members of the BMA will now have from 31st May to 14th June to vote on the revised offer.
Dr Ujjwala Mohite, chair of the SAS UK Committee, said: “SAS doctors told us loud and clear that the Government’s first offer wasn’t good enough. We’ve since been back in conversation with ministers and, after weeks of intense negotiation, secured an offer that we feel will be acceptable to members.”
“Today’s offer shows how far SAS doctors have come in the fight to restore their value, with improved pay scales for those on newer contracts, consolidated uplifts for those on older ones, and recognition that LEDs need better job security. We will be providing further information to our members about this new offer, so they can decide whether to accept it,” Dr Mohite added.
Government says it will ‘pursue all avenues’ to resolve dispute with junior doctors committee
The government says ending strike action will allow doctors to ‘focus on patient care’ and bring down the NHS waiting list.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins 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 NHS Confederation has described the talks as a “hugely positive step”, but warns that working conditions for junior doctors must improve if the talks are to be successful.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “NHS leaders accept that there are a series of actions that they must take to improve the working lives of doctors. The clear focus being given to this issue by Amanda Pritchard reinforces the importance of this, alongside whatever resolution the Prime Minister and Secretary of State can reach with the BMA and its members.”
