BMA suspends further strike plans to resume talks with government

The British Medical Association (BMA) has dropped plans for further industrial action over the government's NHS pension reforms for the immediate future.

Following a meeting of the BMA Council, the organisation has agreed to join other health unions in resuming talks with the government over the details of the planned changes.

At the same time, the association will step up its campaigning efforts to achieve long-term improvements, particularly in regards to the proposed increase in retirement age that is due to come into effect in 2015.

A day of action was held by medical staff on June 21st 2012, but the BMA has reiterated that strikes are not its preferred means of resolving this dispute.

However, Dr Mark Porter, chair of the BMA Council, added: "We have not ruled out taking further industrial action in the future and we are committed to continuing to fight for a fairer deal in the longer term."

It is estimated that around one-third of GP practices staged some form of strike action on June 21st, leading to the postponement of up to one-quarter of non-urgent cases.