#yesyes

Dear colleague, We have now received confirmation that junior doctors in England have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, including a full walkout. This is an unprecedented decision and the most categoric outcome of any BMA ballot. Over 76 per cent of junior doctors voted in the ballot, with 99.4 per cent voting yes to question 1 – are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike – and 98 per cent voting yes to question 2 – are you prepared to take industrial action including strike action – giving us a clear mandate to call for industrial action short of a strike and a full walkout. While we have been clear that we regret the inevitable disruption that this will cause, junior doctors have been left with no alternative due to the Government’s continued threat to impose a contract that is unsafe for patients and unfair for doctors. We have always been clear that we want to reach a negotiated agreement. To this end, we have approached ACAS to offer conciliatory talks with the health secretary and NHS Employers to clarify the conflicting information coming from the health secretary over the past weeks and even now to find a reasonable solution to avert the need for industrial action. As you know, last week, BMA council approved the release of the dates, times and type of action. These will be: Emergency care only – 8am, Tuesday 1 December to 8am, Wednesday 2 December 2015 Full walkout – 8am to 5pm, Tuesday 8 December 2015 Full walkout – 8am to 5pm, Wednesday 16 December 2015 We have produced guidance for those non-juniors who may be affected by the industrial action. Guidance will also be available shortly to LNCs. FAQs are also available for junior doctors. Thanks to all of you who have expressed your support for the junior doctors. Given the strength of the mandate provided by the ballot results, I hope that junior doctors can continue to rely on your support. I will, of course, continue to update you on developments. With best wishes, Johann Malawana JDC chair