Junior doctors suspend strikes

National 24 hour strike by NHS junior doctors. Photo shows Royal Oldham Hospital picket line.

PLANNED strike action by junior doctors next week has been suspended by the British Medical Association as discussions over contracts continue.

Junior doctors voted for a 48-hour stoppage from 8am on Tuesday, January 26, over what they described as potentially unsafe and unfair contract changes.

The decision to cancel the walk-out comes as Acas talks continue this week between the BMA and the Government on junior doctor contracts. The first of three planned strikes was on Tuesday last week, when junior doctors walked out for 24 hours and provided only emergency cover.

BMA junior doctor committee chairman Dr Johann Malawana said yesterday: “Following junior doctors’ clear message to the Government during last week’s action, our focus is now on building on early progress made in the current set of talks.”