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NHS Staffing

That is exactly the kind of approach that is doing so much damage. It is about dictating, not listening. The row must be resolved by working together with doctors, and in partnership with GPs. The experience with dental contracts has shown that an imposed solution that is not acceptable to the medical profession will not work. Members may be slightly surprised to see me waving the flag for conflict resolution and peace, but it is vital for the future of primary care that a solution be reached with doctors. I hope that the Government and doctors sit down together to work through the issue, and that a flexible, sensible solution is found that works to the benefit of all. We need partnership, a much more flexible approach and much more local decision making, including on NHS staffing. We need real, long-term, strategic work force planning across the NHS. Instead of top-down solutions from Whitehall, we need solutions that are tailored and adapted to different needs and situations across the country.