'Everyone loses' if doctors go on strike, says Streeting

THE Health Secretary has said that “everyone loses” if planned strikes by resident doctors in England go ahead.

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Wes Streeting confirmed that resident doctors have agreed to hold “talks to avert strike action” and that he hopes discussions will “lead to a situation where everyone wins”.

But he said that the Government has been “clear” that it will not open negotiations about this year’s pay.

The British Medical Association (BMA) announced last week that resident doctors in England would walk out for five consecutive days from 7am on July 25 amid an ongoing pay dispute with the Government.

“I'm really pleased that the BMA have responded to my offer to sit down and talk to try and avert these strikes,” Mr Streeting told Sky News.