An overwhelming majority of junior doctors have voted in support of industrial action over the proposed new government contract in England, and the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) is urging negotiation to avoid the threat of a strike.
Last week 98% of junior doctors were in favor of the move on a 76% turnout. The strikes are scheduled to take place on 1, 8, and 16 December.
The dispute will only be resolved through negotiation, according to the RCR in a statement. It has called for "immediate removal of all obstacles to the resumption of negotiations between NHS [National Health Service] employers and the BMA [British Medical Association]."
The dispute has already caused concern to patients and also months of distress and anxiety to junior doctors, the RCR said.
"We are confident that fellow and members of the RCR will act responsibly and take all possible steps to ensure safe patient care, whether they take industrial action or support other colleagues in such action," the RCR noted. "Doctors in training in our specialties, whether they are taking such action or not, require all the support that we can offer them in these very difficult circumstances."
