BMA confirms industrial action ballot among junior doctors

Junior doctors are to be asked about the prospect of launching industrial action over recent controversial contract reforms in England.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that its junior doctors committee will ballot its members in England on the government's intention to impose new terms and conditions on trainees from next August.

Key concerns include the removal of protections for safe working patterns, the devaluing of evening and weekend work, and steps that could make specialties such as emergency medicine and general practice less attractive.

As such, the BMA has described the reforms as "unfair and unsafe" and raised concerns it could drive many talented young professionals away from the NHS.

Johann Malawana, chair of the BMA's junior doctors committee, said the decision "is a reflection of the anger felt by the thousands of junior doctors who have told us that the government's position is not acceptable".

Ballot papers are expected to be sent to doctors in training in England in the next few weeks.