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"From Monday we will be looking for resolution on the small number of outstanding issues that separated both parties in February, principally Saturday pay, but also other issues that
affect the motivation, recruitment and retention of junior doctors." The agreement to resume talks follows a wave of industrial action launched by junior doctors in recent months,
which saw thousands of operations cancelled after negotiations reached an impasse, with Mr Hunt threatening to impose the controversial contract. The resumption of negotiations has been
brokered by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in an effort to end the dispute. Mr Hunt has insisted that discussions should not concern 90% of the issues already agreed but should focus
instead on outstanding contractual issues. Junior doctors stopped providing emergency care for the first time in NHS history during their most recent walkout, which went on for two days
last week. More than 125,000 appointments and operations were cancelled and will need to be rearranged, on top of almost 25,000 procedures cancelled during previous action. The dispute
began when the Government took steps to introduce its manifesto commitment of a seven-day NHS. Mr Hunt wants to change what constitutes "unsocial" hours for which junior doctors
can claim extra pay, turning 7am to 5pm on Saturday into a normal working day. Currently, 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday and the whole of Saturday and Sunday attract a premium rate of pay for
junior doctors. Despite the Government offsetting this change with a hike in basic pay of 13.5%, it has proved to be a sticking point with the BMA. The imposed contract, due to come into
force in August, will still allow premium rates for Saturday evenings and all of Sunday.