JUNIOR hospital doctors in Burnley are to meet to test the strength of feeling locally for industrial action.

But Burnley British Medical Association representative Dr Darren Bresnen, said there was no clear indication either way at this stage whether the medics would be prepared to support action for better pay and conditions.

He spoke as 30,000 junior doctors nationally are taking part in a BMA ballot on the issue - the results to be announced on June 4.

A strong yes vote could see doctors ready to take industrial action for the for the first time in two decades.

Dr Bresnen said there did not at this stage seem to be any real strength of feeling either way on the issue in Burnley.

While pay was poor and doctors were working long hours, they were committed to their profession and many were reluctant to take action. "It is going to be a difficult decision to make," said Dr Bresnen who revealed that this week he would be working 111 hours and paid just £3.80p-per-hour for on call work.

"This pay really is pathetic, although conditions in Burnley are better than in many other areas," he added.

A BMA spokesman said apart from the national poll, carried out by an independent body, a representative sample of 2,500 medics would be asked specifically just what form of industrial action they would favour in the event of a yes vote.

"We know there is a strength of feeling because it is an issue of great concern - that is why we are having the survey," she added.

North West regional BMA secretary Dr Ewen Sim said it was impossible to say how feelings were running in the area division.

There had not been a great response to a similar survey in the North West, with doctors opting to make their feelings known through the national poll, he added.

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