Talks between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Government will continue today in an effort to avert strike action by junior doctors.
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The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) is hosting talks between the Department of Health, NHS Employers and the BMA for a third day in a bid to avoid the strikes.
The first day of action is Tuesday, starting at 08:00 and lasting 24 hours.
There would be mass disruption to the NHS, with outpatient clinics and elective surgeries cancelled as 44,000 consultants – who are mostly supportive of their plight – fill in for Junior Doctors.
Andrew Furlong, interim medical director at Leicester’s hospitals, said: “We have already started to prepare for the planned strikes and are working with the BMA and junior doctors locally so that we can ensure that we maintain a safe level of services for our patients on the planned dates of industrial action”.
The dispute is about a new contract for the training-grade doctors, which they say will put patients at risk and slash pay.
Dr Gentle said that studies of industrial action by doctors in other countries showed that mortality rates decreased during strikes.
The proposals will see “normal hours” changed from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, to 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday.
He added: “We support the logic of why people want to take industrial action, but we are not in favour of actually withdrawing labour which would in any way compromise patient care”.
Under the new plans, a higher rate would run from 10pm to 7am Monday to Friday, and from 7pm on Saturday evenings – a concession on the previous 10pm.
Mr Hunt has offered an 11pc rise in basic pay – but union chiefs say there would be a 25pc cut in weekly hours that attract a premium unsociable hours payment.
It also has other concerns over flexible pay plans for some specialities, parents taking maternity and paternity leave and doctors who take time out of practising medicine to study further.
Dr Porter said: “It is encouraging that Jeremy Hunt has made a significant shift in accepting the BMA’s offer of conciliatory talks through Acas, finally recognising the fact that trust has broken down between junior doctors and the Government”.
Mr Hunt told one national newspaper in the run-up to the action that he could not rule out fatalities during the strikes.
“However, junior doctors and the public, who by now will be used to Jeremy Hunt’s political game playing, will not be surprised by the fact that he has waited until now to do the right thing”.
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A hospital spokesman said cancelled appointments and operations will be re-scheduled as soon as possible. and patients would be contacted.
