Junior Doctors in England Suspend 5 Day Strikes

By Lucy Caulkett-

Junior doctors in England have suspended a series of five-day strikes scheduled to cover the next  3 months, over patient safety considerations.

The junior doctors’ committee of the British Medical Association made clear that the dispute with the government over the issue.had not been resolved.

The government insist that  the doctors’ case is without merit.A strike planned earlier in September had already been cancelled.

CONTRACT

The Department of Health claim the new contract will help  provide a seven-day NHS, but junior doctors have dismissed its introduction, a walking out for six one-day stoppages in the first four months of this year.

Dr Ellen McCourt,  the chair woman of the BMA junior doctors committee, said the decision to call off the strike had been taken “in light of feedback from doctors, patients and the public, and following a passionate, thoughtful and wide-ranging debate amongst junior doctors”.

She added: “We still oppose the imposition of the contract and are now planning a range of other actions in order to resist it, but patient safety is doctors’ primary concern and so it is right that we listen and respond to concerns about the ability of the NHS to maintain a safe service.

“We hope the government will seize this opportunity to engage with junior doctors and listen to the range of voices from across the NHS raising concerns about doctors’ working lives and the impact of the contract on patient care.”

PASSIONATE.

Patients, doctors and the public have been concerned about what the strike would mean for patient safety. The British Medical Association were passionate in their decision to back track on their initial plans.

The implementation of the contract is expected to commence on  the 5th October – a couple of weeks from now. The new contract does not  change the perception junior doctors have of the controversial contract, they still believe they are being overworked and underpaid. The doctors are demanding a complete and comprehensive change in their wage and working conditions.

The BMA are clear of their plans to continue their campaign through other means. A legal review is expected to follow oWednesday.

UNETHICAL

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said this week: “The junior doctors’ dispute… it is in my view unethical to potentially inflict harm to patients in pursuit of what is a self-interested campaign.”

In May, it looked as though a breakthrough had been reached in the dispute after both sides agreed to a new deal.

But the government announced in July that it would impose a new contract after junior doctors and medical students voted to reject the deal.