Theresa May: deal on table is 'safe for patients'

Plan for monthly junior doctors' strikes draws criticism

Junior doctors in England are to hold monthly strike action for the remainder of 2016, the British Medical Association has announced.

Here are the key developments:

The action will take place from 8am to 5pm between September 12 and 16, October 5 and 11, November 14 and 18, and December 5 and 9
The strikes are an 'unforgivable' betrayal of those needing care, the head of the Patients Association has said
Senior doctors have urged their junior colleagues to call off the strikes
Prime Minister Theresa May accused the BMA of 'playing politics', while Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said doctors were being 'very confrontational'
The BMA said it will call off industrial action if the Government agrees not to impose the new contracts
Six strikes have already taken place across England during the dispute

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Theresa May has said that the deal on the table between the government and the BMA is a deal "that is safe for patients."

The Prime Minister cited "record levels of funding in the NHS" and more doctors in the NHS than in its history.

She reiterated that the BMA should put patients first, "not playing politics".

Last updated Mon 5 Sep 2016