Second day of all-out strike begins for junior doctors

Junior doctors across England have commenced the second day of an all-out strike, as the dispute over the new contract continues.

The strike represents the first time in the history of the NHS that doctors have refused to cover emergency care and will run until 5pm Wednesday 27 April. Consultants and nurses have been brought in to cover the emergency departments at hospitals across the country to minimise the impact of the strikes on patient safety.

Figures released by NHS England reveal that 78 per cent of junior doctors took part in Tuesday’s strike.

The British Medical Association (BMA) had said that it would call off the strikes if Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt would withdraw his threat to impose the new contract against the will of junior doctors. However, both sides show little signs of backing down, as Hunt has said the government will not be ‘blackmailed’ into dropping its manifesto pledge of delivering a seven day NHS.

Discussing the turn out for the strikes Dr Johann Malawana, chair of the BMA’s junior doctors committee, said: “The overwhelming turnout at almost 150 picket lines across England shows the strength of feeling amongst junior doctors against the government’s plans. Tens of thousands protested against a contract they believe is unfair and damaging to patient care in the long term.”