A resident doctors’ leader has said ministers destroyed the chances of reaching an agreement to end strike action in England after suddenly reducing the amount of money they were offering in talks over pay and jobs.
Dr Jack Fletcher accused the government of “playing games” and said a deal for resident doctors had been within reach before the latest change in position.
According to Fletcher, the shift by ministers forced resident doctors into their 15th strike over pay and employment conditions, with the action causing fresh disruption to the NHS this week.
The dispute continues to centre on pay and jobs, and the latest walkout comes amid ongoing tensions between doctors and the government over how to settle the long-running row.
Fletcher’s criticism was focused on the timing of the government’s revised offer. He said the sudden reduction in the amount on the table made it impossible to keep the peace deal on track.
The strike adds to a prolonged period of industrial action by resident doctors, with the latest action marking the 15th time they have walked out over the dispute.
