Responding to news from the GMB and Unison that the government have entered into talks on pay with more NHS unions, and that much of next week's strike action on 6 and 8 March has been called off, Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive at NHS Providers said:

"Trust leaders will be hugely relieved that the government are coming round the table with more unions to talk about pay, and that much of next week's strike action has now been called off.

"But while progress is now being made in talks with some NHS unions, the prospect of a three day walkout by junior doctors continues to loom large. We hope today's breakthrough will pave the way for similar negotiations with all other unions planning strikes.

"We are urging the government and unions to pull out all the stops and begin talks immediately so that further disruption to patient care can be avoided."