Junior doctors' strike action called off

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Junior doctors have called off plans to hold a series of five-day strikes, it has been announced.

The British Medical Association confirmed the planned action will no longer go ahead.

Walkouts had been due to take place in October, November and December amid an ongoing bitter dispute between doctors and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Hunt says proposed new contract conditions are fair and will result in better patient care, however doctors argue it is unsafe and motivated by financial interest rather than patient care.

Chairperson of the BMA junior doctors' committee Dr Ellen McCourt said the decision to call off the strikes 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 explained: “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."