Rolling coverage of all the day’s political developments as they happen 10.34am GMTAnd here is my colleague Denis Campbell’s story approximately the strike. And here is how it starts.
The NHS is approximately to be hit by a wave of strikes after junior doctors voted overwhelmingly to walk out in protest at the government’s decision to impose a fresh contract on them which they regard as unfair and unsafe.
In a ballot of more than 37000 junior doctors in England,organised by the British Medical organization, 98% have voted in favour of full strike action. Ninety-nine per cent voted for full strike action. 10.33am GMTThe Patients organization has urged the government and the BMA to talk again to avert the strikes planned for next month. This is from Katherine Murphy, or its chief executive.
The Patients organization are extremely worried by the confirmation that industrial action by junior doctors will move ahead. Patient safety will undoubtedly be put at risk by this decision. Whilst the views of doctors must be heard,the potential consequences of this strike for patients are severe. It is not too late for this industrial action to be called off. We call on the government and the BMA to hold talks to try to resolve the dispute before December 1. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com