Medical leaders are urging the British Medical Association and the government to “step back from the brink” and return to negotiations before next months strike.

Junior doctors at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, and King George, Goodmayes, are set to walk-out from 8am to 5pm on April 26 and 27.

For the first time, they will not provide emergency care, unlike the three previous industrial strikes.

Another 48-hour walkout is also expected from 8am on April 6 where junior doctors will provide emergency care only.

Now the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has called on both sides to “step back from the brink” and agree a deal ahead of the strike.

Junior doctors say they have been left with “no choice” after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced they would be forced to accept the new contract without agreement or further negotiation.

In a statement released by the British Medical Association (BMA) Dr Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctor committee chair, said the decision was fundamentally unfair:

“No junior doctor wants to take this action but the government has left us with no choice and will bear direct responsibility for the first full walkout of doctors in this country.

“We want to end this dispute through talks but the government is making this impossible, it is flatly refusing to engage with junior doctors, has done nothing to halt industrial action and is wilfully ignoring the mounting chorus of concerns over its plans to impose coming from doctors, patients and senior NHS managers.

“Faced with this reality what else can junior doctors do?”

In response to the announcement, the Department of Health has labelled junior doctors “desperate and irresponsible” and said their actions will “inevitably put patients in harm’s way.”

The Recorder would like to hear about your views on the strikes. Do you agree with the BMA that the strikes are necessary? Or do you think they are a step too far?

Please contact rosaleen.fenton@archant.co.uk or call 0208 477 3826.