Catherwood LibraryILR School

After concerns of patient safety rose, junior doctors in England called off the five day strikes that were planned for October, November, and December of this year. The strikes began after the Department of Health proposed a new contract that would have provided a 7-day National Health System, but pay junior doctors their normal rate during the day on both Saturday and Sunday. The junior doctors’ decision to end the strikes was influenced by “feedback from doctors, patients and the public, and following a passionate, thoughtful and wide-ranging debate amongst junior doctors", but they will continue to use "alternative forms of resistance", according to Dr. Ellen McCourt, chairwoman of the BMA junior doctors committee. McCourt stated she hopes this decision will result in the government engaging with junior doctors and listening to their concerns. McCourt's position was in jeopardy until yesterday, when committee members voted to keep her.