Striking doctors go in to work to keep city's maternity wards safe

EXEMPTION MADE BY UNION DUE TO 'VERY DIFFICULT' SITUATION

- By JOSHUA HARTLEY

Resident doctors pictured on the picket line outside the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham

(JOSEPH RAYNOR)

STRIKING resident doctors have gone back to work in Nottingham's "very difficult" maternity wards.

The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents resident doctors and called a strike from yesterday until Monday morning, has exempted some maternity medics from the national industrial action.

The BMA said the "derogation" - which allows striking doctors to return when there are unpreventable risks to patient safety - would keep maternity care at Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital safe.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), which operates both hospitals, is currently subject to the largest maternity review ever after concerns were raised over hundreds of baby deaths and injuries.