Acas Conciliation Service has offered to help try to break the deadlock in the resident doctors' strike in England.
The Consultation, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has made it clear that it is willing to participate in efforts to find a solution to the protracted dispute, as doctors continue to go on strike 14 times higher than wages and jobs.
Akas's intervention occurred after NHS chiefs And Patients Association has in recent days called on the government and the British Medical Association to agree to independent mediation to break the impasse.
“Acas is in contact with all parties involved in a dispute between resident physicians,” said Kevin Rowan, the organization's director of dispute resolution.
However, Acas quickly clarified its position after Rowan's statement led to speculation that the company was already involved in trying to secure a deal.
He amended his comments to make clear that the widely respected independent organization had simply offered its services to the government and the doctors' union.
“We have a team of experts who are well trained and ready to help resolve a dispute between resident doctors,” he said.
Rowan emphasized that “Acas has many years of experience in dispute resolution and our collective conciliation service is impartial, free and independent.
“It is also voluntary, meaning we can only undertake formal conciliation negotiations if all parties to the dispute agree to use Acas.”
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients' Association, called on both sides to accept Acas' proposal and begin negotiations under his auspices as soon as possible.
“We welcome the news that Asas is in contact with both the BMA and the government to help resolve this dispute,” she said.
“This dispute has dragged on for too long and repeated blows prove that direct negotiations alone cannot resolve it.
She added: “Acas have confirmed that they are ready and willing to help, but they can only act when both parties agree to take part. We urge the BMA and the government to reach this agreement now.”
It remains unclear whether Akas will be involved. Department Health and Social Care said they had not received any offer from Acas to act as an arbitrator, contradicting Rowan's original statement.
“There has been no proposal from Acas regarding the BMA's dispute with the government. Our entire focus is on mitigating the impact of the strike on patients and staff,” the spokesman said.
The BMA is also unlikely to accept Akas' proposal. Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the standing committee of doctors, tweeted: “[Neither] Neither I nor any member of the resident physician negotiating team spoke with Akas.
“We are aware of mediation services such as Acas, but at this stage we do not believe mediation is a route we need to consider.”
Resident doctors' legal mandate to strike expires on January 6. The BMA has already opened a new vote to its 55,000 regular doctor members which, if enough votes pass, will allow them to stage a new series of strikes over six months, likely starting in February or March.
Thousands of resident doctors, formerly junior doctors, began their latest strike at 7am on Wednesday and will last until 7am on Monday next week.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Keir Starmer called the strike “dangerous and completely irresponsible” given National Health Service was already battling a flu wave that had hospitalized more people this time of year than ever before.
Fletcher said resident doctors felt they had to give up work because ministers were not doing enough to meet their demands for pay and training places.
