Health Minister Karin Smyth says the government is "determined" to reach an agreement with resident doctors to avoid "really disruptive" strike action. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
00:00We are determined to reach an agreement with the resident doctors. We were really pleased that they have come back in to meet with West Streeting this week, that they are willing to talk through this, as they've called it, window of opportunity.
00:14We're very clear that the 29.8% pay rise that they've had over the last few years, that we honoured when we came into government because we agreed that they had been not treated well, that stands.
00:25We can't move on pay, but there are other things around their terms and conditions, the way they work, the way they've been treated.
00:31We absolutely agree with them and we want to work with them and nurses and all the other professionals in the health service.
00:38It is really disruptive strikes. Nobody really wants to have strikes. The NHS has done a great job last week of making sure a majority of procedures went ahead.
00:48I know colleagues here in Southmead worked really hard to make sure that happened so patients could be treated.
00:52So glad we're all back round the table. We're very willing to talk and reach an agreement with them.
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