News

Junior doctor strike still on

Junior doctors from the BMA have confirmed that they will press ahead with next week’s strike due to failed talks with the government, but instead of a full walkout they will provide emergency care only.

The strike will take place from 8am on Wednesday (10 February) to 8am the following day, agreed in order to balance the need to send a clear message to the government with the desire to minimise disruption.

The union had previously called off a second strike action planned for the end of January as a result of initial progress with Sir David Dalton, appointed by the government to take talks forward.

But it said today that negotiations have “floundered” after the government’s “continued refusal to put reason before politics”.

Dr Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctor committee chair, said: “Over the past few weeks, we have welcomed the involvement of Sir David Dalton in talks about a new junior doctor contract which recognises the need to protect patient care and doctors’ working lives.

“His understanding of the realities of a health service buckling under mounting pressures and commitment to reaching a fair agreement has resulted in good progress on a number of issues. It is, therefore, particularly frustrating that the government is still digging in its heels.

“The government’s entrenched position in refusing to recognise Saturday working as unsocial hours, together with its continued threat to impose a contract so fiercely resisted by junior doctors across England, leaves us with no alternative but to continue with industrial action.

“And to those who would urge junior doctors to resolve their concerns in any way rather than industrial action, I ask: ‘What else would you have us do?’ We have talked in good faith with the government over the past few months, but have seen no willingness on their part to move on a core issue for junior doctors up and down the country.”

Rob Webster, chief executive of NHS Confederation, said the BMA's decision was a "bitter blow" to those who use the health service, but said scaling down action "will reassure NHS leaders that we can maintain safety".

"Amidst financial pressures and increasing demand, the NHS cannot afford to continue to suffer as a result of this on-going dispute. It's unacceptable that patients are feeling the greatest impact. Significant progress has been made on many issues between the negotiators. It is critical that all parties commit to talk, compromise and work together to reach a resolution,” he added.

After the latest failed talks at Acas today, health secretary Jeremy Hunt wrote to BMA council chair Mark Porter outlining that, according to Dalton, the only remaining sticking points revolve around pay and the extent of plain time working hours.

He said the government's doors remain open and that he hoped the BMA would "continue to reflect on the value of further discussions".

"In particular, I would welcome your assurance that you are willing to discuss plain time working hours, as set out in the joint agreement with Acas in November," he added.