The British Medical Association (BMA) has called off a planned 48-hour junior doctor’s walk-out following “progress” in its talks with the government.

The news has been welcomed by those who took part in a 24-hour strike on January 12 - the first time doctors had taken to industrial action since 1975.

The decision comes as Acas talks continue between the BMA and the government on the junior doctor contract.

A statement on the BMA website read: “Yesterday (January 18), and on the basis of early progress made in the current set of talks with the government, the junior doctors committee made the decision to suspend the 48-hour industrial action planned for 26-28 January.

“We are announcing this today (January 19) in order to give trusts as much notice as possible so as to avoid disruption to patients.

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“This decision is in line with our stated aim to ensure a safe, fair contract through negotiated agreement, if at all possible.

"The action which junior doctors across England took last week sent a clear message to the government and the negotiating team is now focusing on reaching a resolution to meet your [its members’] concerns.”

The strikes were called is in response to contract changes, which junior doctors argue could reduce overall pay, proposed by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt .

As well as the postponed 48-hour strike, a first ever total walkout of junior doctors was also scheduled for February 10, and could yet go ahead.

'This shows doctors don't want to strike'

Michael Quail has been a junior doctor at Royal Brompton in Chelsea for 10 years. He took part in the national walk-out earlier this month and picketed outside South Kensington Tube station.

He is unsure whether a long-term favourable deal can be struck, but still welcomed the news. He said: “I'm not optimistic in general but I think what it shows is doctors don’t want to strike. Even if there’s a small opportunity for progress to be made we are willing to take that.

“It is not something we wanted to do and only because of the difficult situation that we considered it at all.”

And he said progress needs to continue to avoid further industrial action in the near future: “They haven't suspended the strike planned for February and that’s still planned to go ahead. I guess that will depend on whether progress can be made.”

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It was a warning reiterated by BMA junior doctor committee chair, Dr Johann Malawana.

He said: “It is important to be clear, however, that differences still exist between the BMA and the government on key areas, including the protection of patient safety and doctor’s working lives and the recognition of unsocial hours.

"Significant, concrete progress will need to be made if future action, currently planned for 10 February, is to be averted.”

getwestlondon has asked for comment from NHS England.