Junior doctors strike called off following talks

Royal Oldham Hospital

INDUSTRIAL action by junior doctors was suspended after the British Medical Association reached an agreement with the Government to restart negotiations last night.

The action, due to begin at 8am today, was averted following talks between the BMA, NHS employers and the Department of Health.

Junior doctors, including those working at the Royal Oldham Hospital, were set to provide emergency-only care for 24 hours over the Government’s decision to impose a new contract they believed to be “dangerous and unfair”.

Two further days of action, due to take place later this month, have also been suspended until January 13, 2016, to allow negotiations to progress.

The decision to suspend the strike came too late for thousands of patients whose operations and appointments had been cancelled.