Junior doctors in England are likely to stage their first walkout in 40 years after three weeks of talks with NHS bosses and the government failed to resolve a bitter contract row. Sources say the 45,000 junior doctors are expected to refuse to provide anything other than emergency cover on 13 January, unless a last-minute deal is reached.
The British Medical Association (BMA) and officials from the Department of Health and NHS Employers will meet for the final time on 4 January. Both sides are pessimistic about finding a compromise on fundamental disagreements, including doctors' pay and hours. The BMA is preparing to announce the details of industrial action on Monday if the talks collapse.
Dr Johann Malawana, leader of the BMA's junior doctors committee, said recent negotiations had led to “significant improvements” but that “absolute areas of disagreement” remained. He warned that if a deal is not reached by 4pm on 4 January, the BMA will serve notice for industrial action the following week.
Key sticking points include the government's desire to abolish automatic annual salary increases for junior doctors, and concerns that the promised seven-day NHS will lead to longer hours for the same or less pay. Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, expressed disappointment at the BMA's detailed update on the talks, stating that “sensitive negotiations are not a spectator sport”.
Junior doctors were due to walk out in December after 98% voted for strike action, but the action was called off when Acas stepped in to broker a deal. With talks now at an impasse, industrial action appears imminent.
