Jeremy Hunt urges BMA to return to talks amid junior doctors' strike action

Jeremy Hunt has urged the British Medical Association (BMA) to return to the negotiating table instead of carrying on with "unnecessary strikes" after the first walkout by junior doctors in 40 years.

The Health Secretary said the union should hold fresh talks with the Government about "how to improve patient safety" following the breakdown of negotiations over the contract.

He told the BBC: "The right thing to do is to sit round the table and talk to the Government about how we improve patient safety and patient care, not these very unnecessary strikes."