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Strikes suspended but disruption unavoidable, opt-out organ donation in Wales, and NHS staff aim for Christmas No1

The eleventh hour suspension of junior doctors strikes, set to commence today, is the top story across the front pages today.

The BMA junior doctors committee and NHS Employers agreed to enter ‘direct and meaningful’ negotiations, with the secretary of state agreeing to suspend the threat of an imposed contract if negotiations are not concluded.

But the Guardian reports major disruption will be widespread as non-emergency appointments have already been cancelled ahead of strike action.

And in Wales, a ‘revolutionary’ advance in health policy as new laws take effect which mean all adults are automatically registered as organ donors unless they opt out before they die.

The Telegraph reports that the ‘opt-in’ system in Wales will be watched closely by health officials in other parts of the UK as the Welsh Government predicts the new law could increase organ donors by up to a quarter.

Wales health minister Professor Mark Drakeford said: ‘The latest figures show 14 people died last year in Wales while waiting for a transplant. The change to a soft opt-out system for organ donation will deliver a revolution in consent.’

And finally, NHS staff making a song and dance this Christmas may have a shot at a seasonal Number 1 hit, as charity single ‘Bridge Over You’ by the NHS Choir has amassed over 200,000 online supporters.

The Independent reports the track, a musical mash-up of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ is a celebration of NHS Staff who go the extra mile every day.

All proceeds will go to charity, with Mind and Carers UK being the largest beneficiaries, and the single is available for 99p on iTunes – though campaigners are asking people to hold off purchasing until 19th of December when the charts open.