19.01.16
Junior doctors call off second strike, but full walkout still on the horizon
Junior doctor strikes planned for next week have been called off by the BMA.
The 48-hour industrial action, scheduled for 26-28 January, was suspended as a result of continued talks between the union and the government at Acas this week.
Dr Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctor committee chair and spokesperson for the strikes, said: “Following junior doctors’ clear message to the Government during last week’s action, our focus is now on building on early progress made in the current set of talks.
“On this basis, the BMA has today taken the decision to suspend the industrial action planned for 26-28 January, thereby giving trusts has much notice as possible so as to avoid disruption to patients.”
But Malawana stressed that “differences still exist” between the BMA and the Department of Health in key areas, including protecting patient safety and doctor’s working lives and recognising unsocial hours.
Because of this, the 24-hour full walkout pencilled for 10 February is still on, with “significant, concrete progress” needing to be made if the action is to be averted.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health commented: “The strike that took place last week was unnecessary while talks are ongoing, so it’s extremely welcome news that the BMA has suspended next week’s action, though as it stands emergency care will still be withdrawn in February. In the end, the government and junior doctors want to do the same thing by improving patient care at weekends – and we look forward to further constructive discussions.”
Danny Mortimer, chief of NHS Employers, also welcomed the BMA's decision given the disruption strikes can have on patients as a result of cancelled or postponed operations.
Next week’s action, the second in a string of three separate strikes by junior doctors, would have seen the trainee workforce walk out from everything but emergency care.
During the first in three strike spells last week, thousands of junior doctors took to picket lines to protest what they believe is an unfair and unsafe contract.
The BMA and the government quickly decided to return to the negotiating table soon after, especially in an effort to dodge the second and longer walkout.
But despite re-entering talks, both health secretary Jeremy Hunt and prime minister David Cameron reiterated that the government was intent on imposing the reformed contract, even if the BMA did not agree to it.
Both argued it is “still possible and still legal” to force the contract on the workforce without the union’s formal signature.
According to an Acas spokesperson this morning, talks to settle the rest of the dispute will resume on Thursday and Friday of this week from 10am.