Junior doctors express frustration over contract row

Junior doctors striking over the imposition by the government of a new contract have said the proposed changes to their work pattern "threaten patient safety".

Speaking to ITV News on the picket line outside Royal Blackburn Hospital, some doctors apologised to patients affected by the strike but said they believe the action is necessary 'to secure the future of the NHS'.

Dr Laura Blood, an anaesthetist at the hospital, said the government plans for a seven-day NHS "cannot work".

At least 76 junior doctors based at the hospital are on strike today but 101 have turned up for duty.

The hospital said that because of the industrial action, 251 patients have had their appointments cancelled and four clinics were cancelled altogether and 24 were at reduced capacity.

29 operations have been cancelled over the period of the 48-hour strike but 212 elective procedures will go ahead as planned.