[ad_1]
Resident doctors have “squandered the considerable goodwill” they had with the government by going on strike, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told them.
The medics – formerly known as junior doctors – finished a five-day strike over pay on Wednesday morning. The group were awarded a close to 30% raise last year but say they want more in an attempt to bring their pay back in line with what they had in 2008.
Mr Streeting previously said he would not negotiate further on pay but would consider taking steps on working conditions.
He has reiterated that stance – and continued to put pressure on negotiations to start again on the government’s terms.
The British Medical Association Resident Doctors Committee, which represents the doctors, have not ruled out further action.
In a letter sent today to the co-chairs of the committee, Mr Streeting thanked them for an invitation to “get back to the negotiating table” – but added the barb that it was “ironic because I never left”.
“I am ready to continue the conversation from where you left it,” he added.
He went on to say the strikes were “deeply disappointing and entirely unnecessary” – adding that there were “seemingly promising discussions” about improving doctors’ working lives.
Read more:
BMA defends refusing ‘critical’ work
Tories vow to ban doctor strikes
Labour doesn’t have what doctors want
‘We cannot move on pay’
Mr Streeting criticised the committee, saying they “rushed to strike”.
His letter added: “The consequences of your strike action have been a detrimental impact on patients, your members, your colleagues and the NHS, which might have…
[ad_2]
