Jeremy Hunt has refused to get back around the negotiating table with junior doctors after a “lengthy discussion” with protesting medics.

Doctors have been staging a permanent protest outside the Department of Health building on Whitehall to encourage officials to return to discussions with the British Medical Association over a new contract.

On Friday, two doctors from the protest were invited to meet the Health Secretary and went inside to discuss the dispute with him.

Dr Ben White, one of the doctors at the meeting, told the Independent that Mr Hunt had “disappointingly” refused to return to negotiations.

“This morning, the Health Secretary invited myself and the other junior doctor on duty outside the Department of Health inside the Department to discuss the junior contract with him,” he said.

“Disappointingly, despite a lengthy discussion in which we attempted to stress the dire impact on patient safety of his proposed contract, he did not offer to do the one thing in his power which would stop the forthcoming industrial action, that is, to get back round the table and resume talks with the BMA.

Junior doctors with supporters during an earlier strike outside the Department of Health (PA)

“We have therefore been left with no alternative but to continue our peaceful protest until such time as he is willing to engage in talks. It is baffling and distressing to all junior doctors that the Health Secretary, who purports to be an advocate of patient safety, is so resistant to talking when this is so clearly the only way to avert industrial action.

“We appeal to him to please urgently reconsider this stance and re-engage with the negotiations which would end the prospect of further strikes in an instant.”

Mr Hunt however struck a different tone after the meeting, tweeting: “Had a good discussion this morning with [Dr Ben White] & Dr Paola Rodriguez about the junior doctor contract – thanks for making the time.”

Doctors take it in shifts from 9am till 9pm to stand outside the Department two at a time. They say they will remain until “meaningful talks” about the new NHS-wide contract resume.

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Junior doctors say a new contract, which Mr Hunt is set to unilaterally impose, will put patient safety at risk by incentivising unsafe staff rostering.

The Government says the contract will help implement the Conservatives’ manifesto pledge of improving care at weekends, dubbed a “seven-day NHS”.