Junior doctors across south-east London and north Kent are striking for 48 hours in a dispute with the government over a new contract.

Thousands of doctors are joining picket lines across the country to protest the imposition of a new contract.

The major issue is about weekend pay and whether Saturdays should attract extra "unsocial" payments.

At the moment, 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday and the whole of Saturday and Sunday attracts a premium rate of pay for junior doctors.

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The picket line at Lewisham Hosptial. Photo:@iNathanability

The Government wanted the Saturday day shift to be paid at a normal rate in return for a hike in basic pay.

The BMA rejected this and urged Mr Hunt to reduce the offer of basic pay and instead have better premium rates on Saturdays.

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The picket line at Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford

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The imposed contract, which is due to come into force in August, has an increase in basic salary of 13.5%.

Under the new arrangements, Mr Hunt said no doctor working contracted hours would see a pay cut while too many night shifts and long shifts will be limited.

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This is the third junior doctors strike. Photo:@iNathanability

But 7am to 5pm on Saturdays will be regarded as a normal working day.

Kings College NHS Trust, who are in charge of the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough, wrote they: “will be postponing most non-urgent operations and outpatient appointments during junior doctors’ industrial action”

A statement on the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS trust website said: “As with previous days of industrial action, junior doctors will offer emergency care only during this period.

“We have developed plans to manage the impact that this will have on our services and to ensure that patient safety is maintained throughout this period.

“If appointments were affected we contacted people to let them know of any changes, so if a patient has not heard from us they should assume that their appointment remains unchanged.”

 

More than 5,000 operations and procedures across England have been cancelled ahead of the 48-hour strike which began at 8am.

Public support for the latest strike is as high as it was for the first two earlier this year, with 65% of 860 adults in England supporting the strike.

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Doctors and supporters brave the rain at Lewisham Hospital

Urgent and emergency care services will be available as normal but hospitals are expected to be under extra pressure.

Where possible, patients are being asked to contact their GP, seek advice from their local pharmacist, call 111 or check the NHS Choices website.

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Ahmed Zaima, Luca Fruggeri and Amy Dukoff 

In an emergency, people should still call 999 or go to A&E.

Two further 48-hour strikes are planned from 8am on April 8 and April 26.

Are you on strike? Send your photos to jessica.clark@london.newsquest.co.uk or get in touch on 01689 885725.