NHS Confederation responds to the government's offer to open talks with all trade unions involved in NHS industrial action

Responding to the news that the government has offered to open talks with all unions involved in the strikes, Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

“Healthcare leaders will welcome the news that the government has offered to open talks with all unions involved in the strikes. We have been calling for the government time and again to open negotiations with all unions and this is a very positive step in the right direction.

“We would hope that all trade unions representing healthcare professionals across the NHS accept this olive branch from the government and are prepared to come to the table with the aim of reaching a compromise with the government as quickly as possible.

“We need to bring an end to this war of attrition we have seen over the past few months and get back on track, continuing to tackle NHS waiting lists and treating as many patients as quickly as possible.”