Health minister Will Quince insisted that negations on pay are over but said he is ‘open’ to discuss other issues including working environments.
The Government has insisted there will be no more talks over pay as the latest strike by junior doctors in England drew to a close.
As the four-day walkout ended at 7am on Tuesday, health minister Will Quince insisted that negations on pay are over but said he is “open” to discuss other issues including working environments.
It is the fifth time junior doctors from the British Medical Association (BMA) have staged industrial action in England amid the ongoing dispute over pay.
NHS officials have suggested that the action will have led to thousands of appointments, operations and procedures being postponed.
Hospital consultants are set to stage their own strike later in the month.
Mr Quince told Sky News: “It’s hugely disappointing that both the junior doctors of the BMA and the consultants are still taking industrial action.
“And that’s despite the Government having accepted in full the recommendations of the independent Pay Review Body.
“Take junior doctors for example – we accepted the recommendation, which is an average of 8.8% (rise for average junior doctors) or 10.3% for new doctors just starting out in training.
“The Prime Minister has been really clear that the discussion on pay is now closed.
“My door remains open to discuss other issues around working environments and conditions, but pay is closed and I think that’s the right decision.”
In July the Government announced that junior doctors will receive pay rises of 6%, along with an additional consolidated £1,250 increase, and hospital consultants will also receive 6%.
