PM gives BMA 48 hours to call-off strike or lose 1,000 training posts

PM gives BMA 48 hours to call-off strike or lose 1,000 training posts3 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNick TriggleHealth correspondentGetty ImagesThe prime minister has given the British Medical Association 48 hours to call off the six-day doctor strike after Easter in England or face losing 1,000 extra training places.Writing in The Times, Sir Keir Starmer said the decision last week by the doctors' union to reject the deal offered to them and announce the 15th walkout of the long-running dispute was "reckless".The BMA announced the strike as it emerged doctors were to be given a 3.5% pay rise this year.The union said this was not enough given inflation is expected to rise because of the war with Iran and the fact the pay of resident doctors, who used to be called junior doctors, has not kept pace with inflation since 2008.The 1,000 extra training places, which were to be created this year, were part of a package of measures that would see a total of at least 4,000 extra speciality posts created over the next three years under the deal put forward by the government.Out-of-pocket expenses for things like exam fees were also to be covered, while progression through the five resident doctors pay bands was to be speeded up.Talks had been taking place since the start of January following two strikes during November and December.Health Secretary Wes Streeting had always maintained he could not offer resident doctors more pay after they were given rises totalling nearly 30% in the past three years.The 3.5% rise that is coming to them in April was recommended by the independent pay review body and covers all doctors.Why are resident doctors striking and how much are they paid?In his article in The Times, Starmer said the BMA should put the deal to members."Walking away from this deal is the wrong decision. It is a reckless decision. And doing so without even giving resident doctors themselves the chance to vote on it makes it even worse.&quo...