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Thousands of junior doctors walk out for second day over contract row

Thousands of junior doctors across England are preparing for a second day of strike action over a row with the Government about a new contract.

Junior doctors will provide emergency care only from 8am today as part of a 48-hour strike which began on Wednesday. Two further 48-hour strikes are planned for April 8 and April 26.

The strikes have led to the cancellation of thousands of operations and procedures.

NHS England said urgent and emergency care services will be available as normal but hospitals are expected to be under extra pressure.

It comes after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he will impose the contract on junior doctors - everyone up to consultant level - after talks with the British Medical Association failed to reach a resolution.

The new contracts are due to be imposed in August.

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Junior doctor says NHS morale at 'an all-time low'

A striking junior doctor has said morale across the NHS was now at "an all-time low" as industrial action begins in England for 48 hours.

A striking junior doctor has said morale across the NHS is at 'an all-time low'. Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire

Orthopaedic registrar Christopher Gee said "doctors feel they have been backed into a corner."

It is very frustrating...

We all very conclusively believe we have no other choice but to strike. We are trying to do everything we can to get the Government to listen.

The junior doctors' contract is a significant patient safety issue. There is a recruitment crisis in the NHS - doctors and nurses are already stretched.

Trying to stretch services further when there hasn't been any proper planning is essentially dangerous for patients.

– Orthopaedic registrar Christopher Gee

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