UK govt. trying to avert junior doctors’ strike

With less than a week before a major strike by junior doctors, the British health secretary has launched negotiations with the union to avert a chaos at the National Health Service (NHS).

Jeremy Hunt and junior doctors began talks on Thursday in an attempt to settle their disputes in including the proposed new contract.

“My strong preference is to get round the table and agree with the BMA [the British Medical Association] how we do so in a way that you consider fair, and we are willing to listen and negotiate on any concerns,” Hunt said in a statement.