Responding to the government's pay offer for NHS Specialist, Associate Specialist (SAS) and Speciality doctors announced today, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Sir Julian Hartley said:

"Today's welcome announcement takes us one step closer to resolving damaging pay disputes and industrial action which has caused unprecedented disruption over the past year.

"With a three day walkout by junior doctors later this week, and more strike action looming in the new year, leaders across the NHS will be breathing a huge sigh of relief that they won't also have to contend with damaging strike action by SAS doctors in the coming weeks.

"They know though that this isn't a done deal with SAS doctors yet to vote on this offer.

"It's vital that we now see similar progress with junior doctors so that we can draw a line under more industrial action across the NHS."