Following a meeting yesterday with the BMA Local Negotiating Committee (LNC), the rates have reverted to the pre-existing amounts.

The trust will now engage with doctors via the BMA LNC to discuss any future changes to rates, as a result the BMA has suspended its dispute.

In a letter sent to employees, the trust said: ‘We are committed to being open and candid with you ... We have heard you.

‘We recognise that the breadth of discussions around the level of risk these changes might carry were not broad enough, and that clarity of the consequent agreed exceptions, process for raising ongoing escalations and the authorisation mechanism for any enhanced rates, were poorly communicated – this is owned by the Trust Executive. We are sorry for any distress, upset and mistrust we have caused you.'

In response, BMA West Midlands regional consultants committee chair Dr Rinesh Parmar, said: ‘We are relieved that this dangerous cut to pay rates for extra work doctors do outside of their contract has been averted, but this issue is far from resolved.

‘Without fair pay we run the risk that these shifts will go unfilled, leading to understaffed wards, burnt out doctors, and patients who suffer poorer and delayed care. We'll be working closely with UHB to agree a way forward that protects doctors and patients.'