Junior doctors confirm strike action following breakdown of contract talks

Industrial action by junior doctors will be taking place across England in the coming days after talks over a new contract broke down once again.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that strikes will be held next week after the government was accused of failing to industry concerns regarding robust contractual safeguards on safe working, as well as proper recognition for those working unsocial hours.

As such, the association has written to NHS trusts in England to inform them of industrial action from 08:00 GMT on January 12th to 08:00 on January 13th, and from 08:00 on January 26th to 08:00 on January 28th, during which only emergency care will be provided.

Following this, a full withdrawal of labour will take place from 08:00 to 17:00 on February 10th, with the BMA stating that the strikes can only be averted if the government is willing to make progress on the key areas of the contract it has outlined.

BMA council chair Mark Porter said: "It is because the government's proposals would be bad for patient care as well as junior doctors in the long term that we are taking this stand."

Strikes planned for December were suspended following conciliatory talks between the BMA, NHS Employers and the Department of Health, but since then, little has been made in the way of further progress.