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The British Medical Association has decided to delay non-urgent patient care on June 21 after doctors voted with an overwhelming majority for the first industrial action in the profession in 40 years.

The BMA said in an open letter published in UK newspapers that the "reluctant" day of action is not meant to harm anyone and those with the most severe situations will still have access to medical care.

"On that day, doctors will be in their usual workplaces but providing urgent and emergency care only", wrote the BMA.

"We will be postponing non-urgent cases and although this will be disruptive to the NHS, rest assured, doctors will be there when our patients need us most and our action will not impact on your safety," it added.

The letter said the doctors are keen to have their "voice heard by the government."

The action comes after BMA warned ministers against pushing ahead with "totally unjustified" pension contribution rises and a simultaneous increase in doctors' retirement age.

The move puts doctors alongside a host of other public sector workers including teachers, civil service personnel and even police officers who have already announced or launched strikes in reaction to the austerity measures and changes to their pension schemes.

"We are taking this step very reluctantly, and would far prefer to negotiate for a fairer solution," said chairman of council at the BMA, Dr Hamish Meldrum.

"But this clear mandate for action - on a very high turnout - reflects just how let down doctors feel by the Government's unwillingness to find a fairer approach to the latest pension changes and its refusal to acknowledge the major reforms of 2008 that made the NHS scheme sustainable in the long term," Meldrum added.