NHS crisis deepens as government considers third-party intervention

Health Secretary Steve Barclay is considering calling in peace brokers to end the deadlock over the junior doctors strike.

But the intervention by a “third party” can only happen if the doctors call off their upcoming three-day strike next month, a source close to the minister said.

It comes as health experts told the Sunday Express that the Government must now bring in an independent arbitrator, warning ongoing strikes could permanently damage the NHS because of growing waiting lists caused by cancelled appointments.

More than half a million appointments and operations have been cancelled by the industrial action of junior doctors, nurses and paramedics since December. Junior doctors in England are to walk out for 72 hours from June 14.

Last week the British Medical Association upped its pay-rise demand from 35 percent to 49 percent, and said the Government’s offer of 5 percent – which was also rejected by nurses – was “not credible”.

The source close to Mr Barclay said: “He has sat round the table and talked to them until three weeks ago, but you can’t have talks while people are striking. It is totally unreasonable.”

“The way to resolve this is through talking. We are ­considering a third-party, it is an option but we can’t negotiate this or anything while strikes are ongoing.”