Industrial action over junior contracts suspended

Industrial action by junior doctors has been suspended after the BMA reached an agreement with the Government to re-enter genuine negotiations. The action, which was due to begin on Tuesday this week, has been averted following conciliatory talks with the BMA, NHS Employers and the Department of Health. All action planned for December is also suspended while negotiations take place — and the imposition of a new contract is put on hold. Junior doctors in England were set to provide emergency care only for 24 hours from 8am on 1 December over the Government’s decision to impose a new contract on trainees. However, following conciliatory talks via Acas, the Government responded to the BMA’s demand that the threat of imposition be dropped.   More time NHS Employers has also agreed to extend the timeframe for the BMA to commence any industrial action by four weeks to 5pm on 13 January to allow negotiations to progress. BMA junior doctors committee chair Johann Malawana (pictured right) said: ‘Over recent weeks, we’ve seen an outpouring of anger and frustration from junior doctors across the country. ‘We have always been clear that junior doctors want to reach a negotiated agreement with the Government on a contract which is safe for patients, fair for doctors and good for the NHS. 'We have received assurances that we sought, particularly around the safety of current and future junior doctors and therefore the patients they care for. ...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news