Strike Action Off Again

Junior doctors in England have suspended a series of five-day strikes in October, November, and December following concerns over patient safety.

14:11 26 September 2016

Junior doctors in England have initially planned a series of walkouts in protest against a new contract. However, the strikes were suspended following concerns over patient safety.

 

The junior doctors’ committee of the British Medical Association said that it remained in dispute with the government over the issue.  

 

According to the Department of Health, the new contract has been designed to provide a seven-day NHS. However, junior doctors have disagreed with its introduction and walked out for six one-day stoppages in the first four months of 2016.

 

Dr Ellen McCourt, chairwoman of the BMA junior doctors committee, said the latest decision had been taken "in light of feedback from doctors, patients and the public, and following a passionate, thoughtful and wide-ranging debate amongst junior doctors".

 

She added: "We still oppose the imposition of the contract and are now planning a range of other actions in order to resist it, but patient safety is doctors' primary concern and so it is right that we listen and respond to concerns about the ability of the NHS to maintain a safe service.

 

"We hope the government will seize this opportunity to engage with junior doctors and listen to the range of voices from across the NHS raising concerns about doctors' working lives and the impact of the contract on patient care."