Junior doctors across England are set to stage a fresh wave of strike action after talks with the government fell through.
The British Medical Association (BMA) and Government are in a dispute over pay after the Health Secretary was accused of failing to make a "credible offer".
The BMA announced that a 96-hour walkout would take place for shifts starting between 6:59 am on Tuesday, April 11 and 6:59 am on Saturday, April 15.
Dr Vivek Trivedi and Dr Robert Laurenson, co-chairs of the BMA junior doctor committee, said: “It is with disappointment and great frustration that we must announce this new industrial action.
11-15 April will be the next round of Junior Doctors strike action in England.
— Junior Doctors (@BMA_JuniorDocs) March 23, 2023
The Government is still refusing to make a credible offer - or any offer at all - to resolve our dispute. Read more: https://t.co/QLr4vbxHF9 pic.twitter.com/PTP86e9HjK
“The Government has dragged its feet at every opportunity. It has not presented any credible offer and is refusing to accept that there is any case for pay restoration, describing our central ask as ‘unrealistic’ and ‘unreasonable’.
“Even yesterday they continued to add new unacceptable pre-conditions to talks instead of getting on and trying to find a resolution.
“We therefore have no confidence that without further action these negotiations can be successful.
“This situation is entirely of the Government’s own making.
“We want to spend our time looking after patients, not on strike, but with an NHS buckling under a workforce crisis, and four in 10 junior doctors looking to leave, we can’t stand by while our pay is further eroded by inflation and an intransigent Government.
“We are not going to stop until we are paid what we are worth, and if ministers don’t accept that when we tell them in person, we will have to tell them from the picket line.”
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