Responding to shadow health secretary Wes Streeting's call for junior doctors to cancel their next strike before the General Election, Dr Vivek Trivedi and Dr Rob Laurenson, co-chairs of the BMA’s junior doctors committee, said:

“It’s promising that Labour want to be proactive about resolving this dispute, because we do too. If they form the next Government we look forward to negotiating with them immediately. It is perfectly possible to resolve the dispute quickly.

“Our members across England will need more detail about what this proposal really means and how Mr Streeting intends to work towards fully restoring pay for junior doctors.

“As the current leader of the country, and the one who has failed to produce a credible offer, even at this late stage, Mr Sunak can still show he cares about doctors by making a concrete commitment to restoring doctors’ pay in his own campaign. If this is acceptable to the BMA, then strikes do not need to go ahead. Otherwise, we are asking Mr Streeting, and the other parties’ health spokespeople, to set out their future proposals for our committee’s consideration.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.