Junior doctors and the government have been told to get around the negotiating table to put an end to the strikes which has caused “disruption” to thousands of patients.
The longest strike in the history of the NHS ends on Tuesday at 7am which has affected thousands of patients.
The government has said they will not negotiate with doctors whilst strike action has been called, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said that they are yet to receive an offer to talks.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairman of the BMA’s junior doctors committee, said, “It takes two to tango – the Government also need to involve themselves in that process for it to be successful.
“Ultimately, what we’re looking for is an end to this dispute… and the first way to do that is to restore the pay cuts that we have had, which will help restore the value in the profession.
“But until the Government is willing to negotiate with us we’re not able to unilaterally do that.
“So we won’t be calling for strike action unless and if we need to, but there is a real future where we don’t have to call for strike action ever again, if we’re able to come to an agreement.”
Committee co-chairman Dr Robert Laurenson told PA, “Our goal is to negotiate a pay deal that gives doctors, Government, taxpayers, the NHS and patients long-term security.
“We just hope that the Government comes to their senses and come back to the negotiation room so that we can all work collaboratively together to find a resolution.”
Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, told PA, “Thousands more NHS patients will have been hit with delays and disruption due to this strike.
“This couldn’t have come at a worse time, with mounting seasonal pressures fuelled by a surge in winter viruses and a sharp uptick in Covid-19 cases.
“Throughout the last 14 months of NHS strikes, meticulous planning and hard work have allowed trusts to prioritise patient safety and protect emergency and critical care.
“But this walkout was the longest in NHS history so the scale of the challenge was that much greater.
“It will take time for the NHS to recover, including work on waiting lists and rebuilding staff morale.
“We urgently need both sides in this dispute – the Government and the BMA – to refresh negotiations and find a resolution.”
On Friday, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told PA, “I’ve said throughout this that, please, to the junior doctors’ committee, the moment you call off the strikes I’ll get back around the table with you within 20 minutes.”
