A DEADLOCKED dispute between the government and junior doctors over a controversial new contract looks set to break to allow new talks to get underway.
The Department of Health announced today that it will 'pause' the imposition of new terms for junior doctors for five days from Monday so that discussions with medical union bosses can commence.
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So far, it has resulted in five strikes since January - with around 30 doctors below consultant level at Barrow's Furness General Hospital among those taking part nationally.
The most recent picket, held over 48 hours last week, was held across all types of care - including accident and emergency, maternity and intensive care departments - for the first time in the history of the NHS.
The row centres around two elements of the new contract which doctors claim make it unsafe for patients.
These are the removal of penalties for hospitals which rota staff to work excessive hours and a reduction in extra pay for weekend working.
Dr Johann Malawana, junior doctors' committee chairman on the British Medical Association, said: "As suggested by the Academy, we are keen to restart talks with an open mind.
"It is critical to find a way forward on all the outstanding issues - which are more than just pay - and hope that a new offer is made that can break the impasse."
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