Junior doctors in England to strike next Tuesday

The Health Secretary has hit out at the BMA for announcing strike action that could "risk serious harm to patients" without "fully considering the revised offer" put forward over the weekend.

Jeremy Hunt wrote in a letter to the BMA chair Mark Porter that "it cannot be appropriate to put patient safety at risk with a series of potentially damaging strikes without seeing these negotiations through in full".

He added: "On the final unresolved issue of pay for weekend working, we remain willing to show flexibility and negotiate in good faith.

"It is therefore highly unfortunate that your team were not willing to discuss any compromise on this issue even though we have made clear that pay will be protected for all doctors working within contracted maximum hours."

Junior doctors have told ITV News it is "very disappointing" to have to start the year with strike action as they feel the government haven't "addressed any of our issues".

Junior doctors in England will strike next Tuesday after talks with the government failed to reach an agreement over pay and working conditions.

This may be followed by two more strikes if progress in negotiations is not made, the BMA said.

ITV News Health Editor Rachel Younger reports:

• How far have the negotiations got?

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it is "extremely disappointing" that junior doctors will go on strike over the changes to their contracts.

A 24-hour strike has been announced for 12 January, which may be followed by two more strikes if progress in negotiations is not made, the BMA have said.

Junior doctors have been left with no option but to strike, the British Medical Association said.

Talks over pay and working conditions have failed to reach agreement and a 24-hour strike has been announced for 12 January 2016.

The BMA said unless progress is made with talks, the first strike will be followed by a 48-hour strike on 26 January and a third day of action on 10 February between 8am and 5pm.

The BMA has agreed to further talks so there is the possibility that the strikes could be averted.

The strikes would lead to disruption for thousands of NHS patients.

Suspended strike action in November led to the cancellation of thousands of operations, procedures and appointments.

• What is the dispute over junior doctors' contracts all about?

Junior doctors in England will strike next Tuesday after talks with the government failed to reach an agreement, the British Medical Association said.

The BMA said unless progress is made on safe working and anti-social working hours proposals there will be two more strikes on January 26 and February 10, ITV News Health Editor Rachel Younger reports.