There are chances that following the first industrial action in about 37 years staged by GPs and hospital doctors negotiations over doctors' pension reforms could reopen.

It was stated by the British Medical Association (BMA) that seeing the Thursday's action it was ready to get back round the table with the Government.

Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of council at the BMA, said, "Doctors have sent a strong message to ministers that a better deal on pensions must be found. Figures showed the action hit almost a fifth of GP practices. In some areas of England, 26 per cent of GP surgeries would see only those patients in urgent need of care."

Based on figures from strategic health authorities in England, more than 2000 operations were postponed across the country due to the action and 18,717 outpatient appointments were rescheduled.

All over the country the percentage of GP practices affected due to the action was 21 per cent.

Ministers were accused by the BMA of going ahead with increases in pension contributions that was unjustified and following this the action was announced.