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Plan for monthly junior doctors' strikes draws criticism

Junior doctors in England are to hold monthly strike action for the remainder of 2016, the British Medical Association has announced.

Here are the key developments:

  • The action will take place from 8am to 5pm between September 12 and 16, October 5 and 11, November 14 and 18, and December 5 and 9
  • The strikes are an 'unforgivable' betrayal of those needing care, the head of the Patients Association has said
  • Senior doctors have urged their junior colleagues to call off the strikes
  • Prime Minister Theresa May accused the BMA of 'playing politics', while Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said doctors were being 'very confrontational'
  • The BMA said it will call off industrial action if the Government agrees not to impose the new contracts
  • Six strikes have already taken place across England during the dispute
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Healthcare leaders ask BMA to cancel junior doctors strikes

Junior doctors protest outside Bristol Royal Infirmary during strike action in April. Credit: PA Wire

Healthcare leaders have called on the British Medical Association (BMA) to call off the proposed series of five-day strikes by junior doctors later this month.

NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, which represent NHS hospital, community, mental health and ambulance service trusts in England, said the planned action would lead to around 125,000 lost operations and over one million lost outpatient appointments.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: "With barely any notice for trusts to prepare, this unprecedented level of strike action will cause major disruption and risk patient safety.

"NHS trust leaders agree with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges that this action is disproportionate."

He added that less than 40% of junior doctors supported rejecting an agreement "strongly endorsed by their own representatives".

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Plan for monthly junior doctors' strikes draws criticism

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