Operations cancelled as junior doctors hold second strike

The British Medical Association (BMA) held its first strike last month which included all junior doctors, except those on call to provide emergency cover.

It was due to hold a full walkout today but following talks with the government, junior doctors providing emergency cover are not part of the action.

Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said four operations have been postponed as a result of the strike action.

A spokesman for the trust said: "We have carried out detailed planning across the trust to assess the likely impact of the junior doctors’ industrial action on patients and ensure patient safety.

"We can confirm that four operations have been postponed and there has been a small impact on clinics.  All patients affected have been informed and anyone who has an appointment today should attend as normal unless they have heard otherwise from us."

A statement on the BMA website said: “Despite the best efforts of our negotiating team, and hours of talks facilitated by Acas, we have not managed to reach agreement with NHS Employers and the Department of Health on the new junior doctors contract.