Next doctors’ strike suspended as contract talks resume

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that the junior doctors' strike planned for January 26th to 28th has been suspended.

Plans for a 48-hour period of industrial action, during which only emergency care would have been provided, have been shelved after the BMA chose to resume talks with the government over the details of a new contract for junior doctors.

This comes after 24-hour strike action took place on January 12th in protest over the government's previous contractual proposals, which were described as being unfair and potentially unsafe due to the extensive hours they would impose on staff.

Another strike is planned for February 10th, with the BMA stating that this will still go ahead unless significant progress is made on the current talks.

Dr Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctor committee chair, 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."

The government has welcomed the resumption of talks, describing last week's industrial action as "unnecessary".