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Junior doctors announce series of five-day strikes

Officials at the trust that runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital have already said outpatient appointments and routine operations will be affected by five days of strikes starting on September 12.

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The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges also released a surprise statement criticising the decision to strike again.

But the BMA said it was “absolutely behind” the decision for further action.

“Less than 40% of junior doctors supported rejection of an agreement strongly endorsed by their own representatives”.

A week of strikes has been scheduled from 08:00-17:00 on 12-16 September, marking the most prolonged period of strike action since the dispute began.

The BMA itself was recommending to its members to accept the new contract just a few months ago in May.

This month’s strike could be the first of many five-day walkouts by junior doctors.

Ellen McCourt, the BMA’s junior doctors chair said: “During a special meeting of the BMA Council, it has been decided that junior doctors in England will take further industrial action, from September”.

It said: “We know there are genuine concerns about the contract and working arrangements, but we do not consider the proposed strikes are proportionate”.

Prime Minister Theresa May has urged doctors to call of the strikes.

The Patients Association condemned the announcement, saying it was a “disturbing” time to be an NHS patient.

“Not only will patients be let down, but medical colleagues will be, too”.

Chief executive of Nuffield Trust Nigel Edwards said the strikes could have a long-term impact on hospital funding, which could be cut because of cancellations.

He added there had been a “quite obvious shift in the opinion” of medical leaders in relation to the strikes.

“We will be running as many outpatient appointments and planned operations and procedures as possible during the planned week of strikes, but some will have to be postponed and we are very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause”.

In May it looked as though a breakthrough had been reached in the dispute after both sides agreed to a new deal.

The BMA only narrowly approved calls for the new sets of strikes with senior doctors and professional leaders loosing patience with their demands.

A hospital spokesman said: “We are now putting in place plans to ensure we provide a safe service for our patients throughout the strike, including anyone who needs emergency or urgent care”.

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“We believe that progress was made during talks in May, so we are calling for the government to lift the imposition and restart meaningful talks to agree a contract that is adequately funded, fit for objective, delivers for patients and has the confidence of the profession”.

GETTYJunior doctors have been criticised by medical leaders for the new strike plans