The union representing junior docs seems “intent on maintaining a militant stance” which “hampers serious talks over pay”, the well being secretary has mentioned.

The union is asking for a 35% pay rise to make up for 15 years of below-inflation wage rises.

Junior docs in England are set to stage a four-day strike from Tuesday.

Mr Barclay mentioned he might see “no prospect of getting into serious and constructive talks” until the strike motion was cancelled and the BMA modified its pay calls for.

Junior docs are beneath guide stage, and will have a few years expertise in a hospital setting or common observe.

Mr Barclay mentioned pay calls for by junior docs had been “out of step with pay settlements in other parts of the public sector” and claimed some docs might obtain an additional £20,000 a yr if wage calls for had been met.

The well being secretary additionally mentioned he valued “the important work these doctors do every day” and he wished “to see a fair deal that increases their pay”.

In his article, Mr Barclay wrote that the four-day strike “threatens to cause significantly more disruption than the previous NHS walkouts we have seen recently”.

“It is deeply disappointing that this industrial action has been timed by the BMA’s junior doctors committee to cause maximum disruption to both patients and other NHS staff,” he mentioned.

“Not only does the 96-hour walkout come straight after the Easter weekend, but it is also longer than previous walkouts. And it coincides with school holidays, Ramadan and Passover.”

He mentioned whereas contingency plans had been being put in place, “significant disruption in the coming days is inevitable”.

Health bosses have estimated that as much as 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 operations and appointments may very well be postponed as a result of the strike.

The BMA represents 173,000 members throughout all elements of the United Kingdom, and noticed a current surge in membership as a result of more junior doctors joining.

Speaking to the BBC, deputy chair of the BMA junior docs committee Dr Mike Greenhalgh mentioned falling pay had prompted “a real recruitment and retention crisis” within the well being service.

Strike motion will happen from 07:00 BST on Tuesday, lasting till 07:00 BST on Saturday.

During final month’s strike, hospitals drafted in consultants to supply cowl however it’s estimated 1 / 4 of them are on go away because of the Easter holidays.

The British Medical Association (BMA) says it is not going to exempt any providers however that there are plans to guard sufferers, which might contain pulling junior docs off the picket line if particular person hospitals report lives are in quick hazard.

The Department of Health and Social Care has mentioned the federal government is working with NHS England to place contingency plans in place to guard affected person security throughout the strike.

“The NHS will prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, maternity and neonatal care, and trauma,” a spokesman mentioned.

Ahead of the strikes which start on Tuesday, Mr Barclay had been urged to satisfy union representatives over the financial institution vacation weekend to attempt to resolve the difficulty.

Speaking beforehand, Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-director of the junior docs’ committee on the BMA, mentioned the union wished to make certain Mr Barclay “is serious about pay erosion” – however added he’s but to place a reputable supply on the desk.

“All we’re asking for is a credible offer that shows us he’s serious, that we can start a path of negotiations to try to address the real-terms pay cut,” he mentioned.

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