About time! Doctors in talks with the Department of Health to put an end to NHS strikes

Junior doctors have agreed to talks with the Department of Health in an effort to bring strikes to an end.

The British Medical Association revealed last night it will meet officials next week for a preliminary discussion that could lay the groundwork for negotiations in the coming weeks.

But a new headline pay deal for this year would ‘not be on the table’ as the Government insists the current settlement is ‘fair and final’.

Junior doctors, which include medics below the rank of consultant, first went on strike in March in pursuit of a 35 per cent pay rise. They say their pay has been cut in real terms since 2008.

The British Medical Assocation revealed last night it will meet officials next week for a preliminary discussion that could lay the groundwork for negotiations in the coming weeks 

In July, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said they would get a rise of 6 per cent, with an additional consolidated increase of £1,250. 

It meant they received an average rise of 8.8 per cent, with those in their first year of hospital training seeing their pay jump by 10.3 per cent.

Industrial action by NHS staff has led to the cancellation of more than one million appointments since November, fuelling a rise in waiting lists – which now stand at a record 7.75million.

Responding to the announcement of talks on X, formerly Twitter, one user said: ‘Please make it clear to them we are willing to continue with strike action unless a realistic route to FPR [full pay restoration] is offered. In this for the long haul.’ 

A health department spokesman said: ‘We are pleased the BMA… has agreed to enter talks in the hope we will find a resolution and end the dispute.

‘We have been clear headline pay will not be on the table as doctors have already received a fair and reasonable pay rise as recommended by the independent pay review body, which we’ve accepted in full.’

Consultants, who were awarded a 6 per cent rise but want more, have also been picketing and recently agreed to separate talks with ministers.