To ask the Minister of Health what actions have been taken by his Department following meetings with the Improving Doctor and Dentist Working Lives Group (i) during the previous mandate; and (ii) since February 2024.

The Improving Junior Doctors and Dentists Working Lives Group last met 27/04/2021 at which a proposal for moving functions from IJDDWLG to alternative arrangements was discussed. Tripartite communications were undertaken between the BMA, Employing Organisations, and the Department to design a better way of working. Final responses were received at the end of August 2023. However, as responses were being reviewed and collated the BMA indicated that they would be balloting members on their willingness to take industrial action at which point in time this work was put on hold. Once industrial action has ceased, and normal industrial relations have resumed my officials will recommence this work.