THE BMA has today confirmed the dates and details of possible industrial action by junior doctors, following a decision by BMA Council, the body which represents doctors from across the profession.
Junior doctors in England are currently being balloted for industrial action after the government’s threat to impose a new junior doctor contract in England from August next year. The ballot closes next Wednesday, 18 November.
The BMA is releasing this information at this early stage to give as much notice as possible about the potential action in order to ensure that the necessary cover can be put in place to minimise disruption to other NHS staff and, above all, to patients.
The proposed dates and type of action discussed and approved today by BMA Council are:
• Emergency care only – 8am, Tuesday 1 December to 8am Wednesday 2 December 2015
• Full walk out – 8am to 5pm, Tuesday 8 December 2015
• Full walk out – 8am to 5pm, Wednesday 16 December 2015
Commenting, Dr Mark Porter, BMA Council chair, said: ‘We are releasing this information at this early stage because we want to give as much notice as possible to minimise disruption to other NHS staff and, above all, to patients.
‘Our dispute is with the government and our ballot for industrial action is a last resort in the face of their continued threat to impose a new contract. Industrial action is the last resort for a reason: it comes only when every other avenue has been exhausted.
‘The BMA has been explicit in what it needs to change in junior doctor contract proposals
‘1. The government’s refusal to work with us through genuine negotiations, and its continued threat to impose an unsafe and unfair contract leaves us with no alternative
‘2. The BMA is clear that we want to work with the government to deliver a contract that is good for patients, junior doctors and the NHS as a whole. It is not too late to achieve this, but the government must remove the threat of imposition and provide the reasonable assurances junior doctors need to get back around the negotiating table.
‘Today’s decision by BMA Council sends a clear message to the government – the medical profession as a whole is standing in solidarity with junior doctors.’
