The British Medical Association (BMA) introduced junior docs would stroll out between July 12 and 15 after rejecting a 14.5% improve over two years.
The supply was initially described because the “best and final” deal from the Scottish Government, however as he marked the seventy fifth anniversary of the NHS throughout a go to to Forth Valley Hospital in Larbert, close to Falkirk, the First Minister stated he deliberate to fulfill with the BMA on Tuesday to debate a brand new supply.
He stated: “I’m prepared to offer junior doctors the biggest ever uplift seen in the history of devolution, and if accepted, it would put thousands of pounds into the pockets of our junior doctors and they will be worth every single penny.”
Mr Yousaf stated the plans would solely be mentioned with junior docs however stated strategies might embrace going above and past a one-year pay rise, or reforming contracts and dealing circumstances.
He added: “There isn’t, I’m afraid, money down the back of the sofa, I think people know that given the difficult financial constraints that the Government is operating under.”
It comes after Mr Yousaf chaired a resilience assembly with senior ministers and well being bosses to plan contingencies within the occasion of the anticipated strikes.
Mr Yousaf advised journalists the walkouts might be “hugely significant”, leading to “potentially tens of thousands of patients being affected and having their procedures cancelled”.
And requested by the PA news company if he was assured that junior docs would settle for an improved supply, he stated: “I think it’s 50/50 if I’m being honest.
“I don’t think it’s a done deal by any stretch of the imagination. I think it’s going to be a challenging negotiation given where we know the BMA are and what we’re able to afford.
“But I do believe the BMA, absolutely, when they say they want to do everything they can to avoid industrial action.”
Following the resilience assembly, Dr Chris Smith , chair of the BMA’s Scottish junior docs committee, stated: “Junior doctors in Scotland have consistently and strongly made clear that the pay offers made so far by the Scottish Government are not yet sufficient to demonstrate a commitment to reverse the years of pay erosion we have suffered, which has seen pay reduced by 28.5% since 2008.
“No-one can seriously argue a junior doctor today is worth that much less than a counterpart 15 years ago. Indeed, our members rejected the Scottish Government’s latest offer decisively.
“Unless we act now and invest in the future of the workforce, we will go on losing doctors to places they are valued properly, compromising the care we can provide to the people of Scotland now and in the future.”
Scottish Conservative well being spokesperson Dr Sandesh Gulhane stated: “Scotland’s health service is already at breaking point due to years of SNP mismanagement, so patients will be alarmed at the thought of these damaging strikes going ahead.
“Humza Yousaf must do everything in his power to halt them by reaching a deal with shattered junior doctors – who are paying for the SNP’s dire workforce. It must address not just pay, but the poor working conditions junior doctors face every day.”
The pay deal for senior NHS workers, which will probably be backdated to April 1 2023, will see a advisor on the backside of the pay scale see an increase of £5,488 and £7,292 for these on the high.
It builds on the 4.5% pay uplift awarded in 2022, taking the entire improve to 10.5% in two years.
