IN A bid to break the deadlock over a new contract for junior doctors a cross-party group of MPs has called on the Health Secretary to take a step back.

Instead of imposing the contested contract across England MPs are urging Jeremy Hunt to pilot it in a small number of trusts.

This is a sensible idea - limited trials will allow both sides to evaluate the impact on patients and junior doctors. It will also make the inevitable fine tuning process easier.

The Government is adamant the new contracts will be an improvement all round. In which case it has little to lose by agreeing to a series of pilots that will surely prove its argument.

If the Government agrees we would urge the British Medical association to call off this week's industrial action.

So far, junior doctors have enjoyed widespread support. The public sides with them because it does is suspicious of Tory motives when it comes to the NHS.

But a long-running and disruptive strike - possibly even an all-out strike - will push that support to breaking point.

Junior doctors work long hours and sometimes have to make life-or-death decisions. But their lengthy training is state-subisdised, they enjoy lifetime job security and can look forward to an early retirement with a generous pension.

How many other workers can say the same?

Certainly not the ambulance crews, nurses and care workers who work alongside them.

Both sides in this dispute hold deeply entrenched positions - but the politicians have more room for compromise.

We just hope doctors' representatives are prepared to grasp the olive branch.