Advertisement

  1. National

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.

View all 12 updates ›

BMA accuses government of 'mishandling the NHS'

Chair of the British Medical Association junior doctors committee, Dr Johann Malawana, has accused the government of "mishandling the NHS" and the current dispute over contracts.

Speaking as junior doctors stage another 48-hour strike over the row, Dr Malawana said the industrial action was "deeply regrettable".

He also urged Prime Minister David Cameron to intervene in the dispute.

More on this story