Wes Streeting and resident doctors urged to agree to mediation to end strikes

"Exasperated NHS bosses have urged Wes Streeting and the British Medical Association to agree to independent mediation to end industrial action by resident doctors, who will begin their latest strike on Wednesday. The health secretary and the doctors union have been told to embrace the idea in order to urgently break the deadlock in their increasingly bitter dispute that health service bosses say is making patients collateral damage."

"An arbitrator could work to bridge the gap between them and resolve the 33-month-long dispute in England, the NHS Confederation, which represents hospital bosses, said. Thousands of resident formerly junior doctors in England will strike from 7am on Wednesday for five days in their 14th strike action since 2023. Hospitals have cancelled tens of thousands of tests and treatments to help them cope with the extra pressure they will be under until the strike ends at 7am next Monday 22 December."

"Matthew Taylor, the confederation's chief executive, said: Clearly the current standoff between the government and the BMA's resident doctors committee is detrimental to all parties, but the repercussions will be felt most severely by patients. Like our members, they will be extremely worried as this war of words continues to play out in public and as both sides become more entrenched in their positions. Some common ground is urgently needed, wh"

NHS bosses have urged the health secretary and the British Medical Association to agree to independent mediation to end industrial action by resident doctors. Thousands of formerly junior doctors in England will stage a five-day strike from 7am Wednesday, the 14th since 2023, prompting hospitals to cancel tens of thousands of tests and treatments. Last-ditch talks between the health secretary and the BMA failed to secure agreement on pay and jobs. NHS leaders warn the dispute, now 33 months long, is harming patients and could continue into next year unless both sides accept an independent arbitrator to bridge the gap.

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