THE chairman of Healthwatch Worcestershire says he is glad a series of five-day all out strikes in the run up to Christmas have been called off, but has urged both sides to still find a resolution.

The industrial action by junior doctors had been scheduled to be held on October 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11, November 14 to 18 and December 5 to 9.

The strikes were originally organised as the Government and the British Medical Association remain at loggerheads over a controversial new contract for junior doctors, which the Department of Health says will help to provide a seven-day NHS.

Peter Pinfield, chairman of Healthwatch Worcestershire - the body that represents patients in Worcestershire - told the Worcester News Healthwatch welcomed news that the strikes had now been suspended.

"If the three, five day strikes had gone ahead it would have been very difficult for the NHS in Worcestershire to have covered that," he said.

"We are heading for a colder time of year when health services will be under extra pressure, at a time they already are in Worcestershire."

Dr Ellen McCourt, chairman of the BMA junior doctors committee, said the decision to call off the strikes had been taken "in light of feedback from doctors, patients and the public, and following a passionate, thoughtful and wide-ranging debate amongst junior doctors".

But she vowed the fight was not at an end, stressing junior doctors were still opposed to the imposition of the contract by the government, and adding that a range of other actions were being planned to resist it.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We welcome the news that strikes have been suspended.

"The best way to rebuild trust now is for industrial action to be called off permanently in the interests of patients - and we urge the BMA to do so."

Mr Pinfield added: "This is still not over - both side need to get round the table.

"The last thing we want is unhappy doctors leaving the NHS and going abroad, to places like Canada.

"The Government and junior doctors need to find a resolution."