Junior doctors to take part in second day of first all-out strike in NHS history

The head of the British Medical Association's junior doctors' committee, has told ITV News tonight that he would be prepared to "stand aside" if it would lead to a solution to the current dispute over contracts.

Doctor Johann Malawana said what he wants to see "is a solution to this problem" as the situation appeared to have remained unchanged after day two of the first 'all out' NHS England strike in history.

ITV News health editor Rachel Younger reports.

Tensions continued to escalate between junior doctors and Jeremy Hunt today as doctors protested outside the Health Secretary's offices in Westminster at the end of the first day of a 48 hour 'all out' strike.

It came as Hunt defended his reasons for pushing ahead with introducing new changes to junior doctors' contracts saying "the total refusal of the BMA to negotiate" was being driven by forces looking at it as "a political battle with the government".

ITV News Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship reports.

Hospitals across England have seen junior doctors' walk out today for the first all-out strike in NHS history.

Fears had been raised by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt about patient safety at this time but one doctor told ITV News hospitals are still "one of the safest places to be" as consultants step in to support their junior colleagues by providing extra cover as they strike.

ITV News health editor Rachel Younger reports:

5:15pm: Hospitals have reported being less busy today as the strike action got underway.

Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Somerset, said patients had been seen almost immediately by consultants.

While many hospitals said they had no higher waiting times than normal.

It is thought many patients with minor problems may have gone to their chemist or GP instead.

5pm: Day one of the junior doctors strike has officially ended.

The industrial action doesn't appear to have driven up hospital waiting times or caused any problems of note so far.

Junior doctors are expected to walk out again on Wednesday between 8am and 5pm.

4.54pm: NHS England say 78% of junior doctors took part in industrial strike action today.

Nicola Sturgeon has penned her response to the junior doctors contract in an open letter to David Cameron.

It highlights that The Royal Collages based in Scotland are concerned that the decision to impose the junior doctor contract risks the retention of world-class medical workforce throughout the UK.

The letter ends with a plea to Cameron, to reconsider the current position and return to negotiations with the BMA.