Junior doctors suspend plans for second strike at Luton & Dunstable Hospital
A second junior doctors strike at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital has been suspended, after the British Medical Association resumed talks with the government.
As the result of a long standing contract dispute with the Department of Health, junior doctors at the L&D staged a one-day walkout last Tuesday.
Another strike was due to take place for 48 hours from 8am this coming Tuesday, but for the time being this has been suspended.
The BMA and government still disagree on proposed changes to ‘unsociable’ hours in junior doctor contracts, but the Department of Health has said that the suspension is ‘extremely welcome’.
Dr Johann Malawana, the chair of the BMA’s junior doctor committee, said: “The BMA’s aim has always been to deliver a safe, fair junior doctor contract through negotiated agreement. 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.”