Junior doctors: Health secretary urges leaders to call off strikes and re-enter talks

England’s health and social care secretary, Victoria Atkins, has urged junior doctors’ leaders to call off their latest round of strikes and re-enter talks with the government as the long running pay dispute between the two sides rumbles on.

Atkins also claimed that many junior doctors would “feel deeply uncomfortable” with the timing of the latest strikes because of the impact on services and colleagues.

The latest strike by junior doctors in England—lasting three days, bringing the total number to 28 days this year—ends at 7 am on Saturday 23 December. This will be followed by a six day walkout from 7 am on Wednesday 3 January to 7 am on Tuesday 9 …