Thousands of doctors walk off the job in pay dispute

He said that the walkout could cause “real difficulties for patients and potentially worse”.

More than 270 appointments due to take place at Lincolnshire hospitals on Tuesday have been cancelled because of the strike action.

Talks between the British Medical Association and NHS Employers are ongoing, but will not prevent the strike going ahead, conciliation service Acas has said.

“It is important that our patients make every attempt to come to their appointments so that we can continue to deliver high quality care”.

A Yeovil hospital spokesperson said that now two outpatient clinics and four operations had been cancelled. We are continuing to plan for the possibility of industrial action over the coming weeks and to ensure we robustly protect the safety and welfare of patients and ensure that services continue to be provided.

“But Jeremy Hunt thinks he can offer more to patients by paying dedicated healthcare professionals much less”.

There are around 55,000 junior doctors in England.

There are around 53,000 junior doctors in England and you’ll encounter them in all parts of the NHS.

The dispute is over a proposed new contract of employment for junior doctors.

“If you are unable to attend your appointment please contact the hospital as soon as possible so that this slot can be offered to another patient”.

Some 50,000 junior doctors – who represent a third of the medical workforce – are on strike for 24 hours amid government plans to change pay and work schedules.

Today’s strike is the first time that thousands of junior doctors in the United Kingdom will strike since 1975.

They can now be paid extra for working between 7pm-7am during the week, and can be paid extra for working all of the weekend.

The union balloted its members in the autumn, and 98 per cent of those who voted backed strike action.

Today’s action is the first of three planned national walk-outs.

Medics are expected to go on strike on Tuesday, with NHS England claiming 1,425 inpatient operations and procedures were being cancelled as a result of the action along with 2,535 outpatient ones.

The Government wants to cut the number of hours classed as unsociable, meaning doctors will earn less money for evening and weekend work and in many cases have a drop in salary.

Walk-in centres, pharmacists, GP surgeries and the NHS 111 line will be able to advise you on less urgent medical queries.