Junior doctors could hold ballot for more strikes

The British Medical Association’s (BMA) junior doctors committee reportedly has plans to hold a third vote for a new six-month mandate for industrial action

Junior doctors will hold a fresh ballot for more strike action, according to reports, as the longest walkout in NHS history ends on Tuesday morning.

The British Medical Association’s (BMA) junior doctors committee has plans to hold a third vote for a new six-month mandate for industrial action over the long-running pay dispute, according to The Guardian.

The move is likely to increase tensions in the health sector which have already been heightened by the record six-day strike.

The current mandate was voted for by members in the summer and expires on February 29 and union sources say support among junior doctors for continuing their campaign remains strong, according to the newspaper.

The BMA would not comment on the reports when approached by the PA news agency.

The latest junior doctors’ strike in England, due to come to an end at 7am on Tuesday, has caused “delay and disruption” to thousands of patients according to health bosses.

On Monday, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said she would sit down to negotiate with junior doctors if they enter talks with “reasonable expectations”.

She told the Commons it is time for the junior doctors committee to “show that they’re serious about doing a deal”.

Published: 09/01/2024 by Radio NewsHub