Today's planned strike action by thousands of junior doctors was suspended last night after a temporary agreement was reached between government officials, the British Medical Association and NHS employers.

But the decision came too late for thousands of patients whose operations and appointments had already been cancelled.

The 24-hour walkout planned to start at 8am today has been dropped, together with two full strikes organised for December 8 and 16.

While fresh talks are under way, the Government has agreed to suspend its threat to impose a new contract on doctors.

However, it will retain the right to impose it if a final settlement with the BMA cannot be reached.

The BMA also maintains the right to hold its strikes before a deadline of January 13 if talks do break down.

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A spokesman for the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), which has been hosting the talks, said: "Following five days of productive talks under the auspices of Acas, the BMA, NHS Employers and the Department of Health have reached an agreement.

"Acas is pleased that the talks have been held in a constructive manner and co-operative spirit between the parties, that will allow an improvement in industrial relations."

A statement from all parties said: "We intend to reach a collaborative agreement, working in partnership to produce a new contract for junior doctors, recognising their central role in patient care and the future of the NHS.

"All parties are committed to reaching an agreement that improves safety for patients and doctors and therefore NHS Employers have agreed to extend the time-frame for the BMA to commence any industrial action by four weeks to January 13 2016 at 1700, to allow negotiations to progress.

"Within that timetable, the BMA agrees to temporarily suspend its proposed strike action and the Department of Health agrees similarly to temporarily suspend implementation of a contract without agreement.

"All parties acknowledge that they share responsibility for the safety of patients and junior doctors, which must be paramount."

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The last junior doctors march held in central London.

The basis for fresh negotiations is the Government's offer from early November, including an 11% rise in basic pay for junior doctors.

This is offset by plans to cut the number of hours on a weekend that junior doctors can claim extra pay for "unsocial" hours.

Currently, 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday and the whole of Saturday and Sunday attract a premium rate of pay.

Under the revised plans, a higher rate would run from 10pm to 7am Monday to Friday, and from 7pm on Saturday evenings - a concession on the previous 10pm.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt told MPs that NHS England had estimated that - across all three days of planned action - up to 20,000 patients would have operations cancelled, including around 1,500 cataract operations, 900 skin lesion removals, 630 hip and knee operations, 400 spine operations, 250 gall bladder removals and nearly 300 tonsil and grommets operations.