Next week’s 48-hour strike by junior doctors has been suspended as talks continue with the Government over a new contract.
The British Medical Association (BMA) announced it was calling off the walk-out – due to start next Tuesday – after “early progress” was made in its current round of talks with the Government.
Thousands of operations and procedures would have been affected by the strike, when doctors were due to provide emergency care only. It would have followed a 24-hour strike last week.
But the BMA said “significant progress” still needed to be made to avoid a strike planned for February 10, when full labour, including emergency care cover, is due to be withdrawn.
It said “differences still exist between the BMA and the Government on key areas, including the protection of patient safety and doctors’ working lives, and the recognition of unsocial hours”.
In a statement, the BMA 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.”
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