More talks to prevent further junior doctor strikes

JUNIOR doctors are meeting government representatives and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) to try and prevent further strike action.

Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) held a 24-hour walkout on Tuesday in a row over changes to their contracts.

Around a dozen demonstrators formed a picket line at Rotherham Hospital’s Moorgate Road entrance.

Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said three clinics, involving 33 patients, were cancelled but added there had been no operations cancelled.

Acas said talks between its representatives, the BMA and the government resumed at 10am this morning (Thursday) to ty and reach agreement and prevent further planned strikes for later this month and in February.

An Acas spokesman said: "The sides involved in the junior doctors' dispute have agreed to take part in Acas concillation talks on Thursday, January 14 and Friday, January 15."

If an agreement cannot be reached, the BMA will hold two further days of action over the coming weeks.

There will be a 48-hour strike, which will not involve doctors on emergency cover, from 8am on Tuesday, January 26.

All junior doctors, including those on emergency cover, will walk out on strike between 8am and 5pm on Wednesday, February 10.