Junior doctors' strike suspended

A PLANNED 48-hour strike by junior doctors has been suspended as talks with the government about changes to their contracts continue.

The British Medical Association (BMA) held a 24-hour strike last Tuesday (January 12), which included all junior doctors, except those on call to provide emergency cover.

Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said three clinics, involving 33 patients, were cancelled but added there were no operations cancelled.

It was due to hold a 48-hour strike, which would also not have involved doctors on emergency cover, from 8am on Tuesday, January 26.

But the BMA has announced it has postponed the walkout after making progress in talks with the government about the contract changes.

A statement on the BMA’s website said: “Yesterday, and on the basis of early progress made in the current set of talks with the Government, the junior doctors committee made the decision to suspend the 48-hour industrial action planned for January 26 to 28.

“We are announcing this today in order to give trusts as much notice as possible so as to avoid disruption to patients.

“This decision is in line with our stated aim to ensure a safe, fair contract through negotiated agreement, if at all possible.

“The action which junior doctors across England took last week sent a clear message to the government and the negotiating team is now focusing on reaching a resolution to meet your concerns.”