INDUSTRIAL action by junior doctors is expected to escalate tomorrow as they start the first of three 48-hour walkouts.

Picket lines are to be manned from 8am outside the main entrances to Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) in Duckworth Lane and at Airedale General Hospital in Steeton Road, Keighley.

Junior doctors will provide emergency care only during tomorrow and Thursday with two further 48-hour strikes planned to start on April 8 and April 26.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Junior doctors during a previous strike at Bradford Royal Infirmary

Bosses at the district's two hospital trusts have been making arrangements for patients during the walkouts by the British Medical Association (BMA) members over a row with the Government over a new contract.

Months of talks between the BMA and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt have failed to reach a resolution with Mr Hunt announcing he would still be imposing the contract.

A Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesman stressed patient safety and care would not be compromised during the strike.

"All essential services, such as emergency and urgent surgery will continue as normal," he said.

"We strive wherever possible to avoid rearranging routine appointments and clinics. Any affected patients have been notified and if patients have not heard from us they should attend their appointments as normal."

The spokesman said the Trust was still in the process of calculating the number of appointments and non-emergency procedures it has had to cancel.

No operations have been cancelled at Airedale General Hospital but some patients have had their appointments rescheduled.

Stacey Hunter, director of operations at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have worked through our contingency plans with our staff, including consultants, nurses, other health professionals and union representatives, to ensure patient safety, care and welfare are maintained during the planned industrial action by junior doctors. 

“Some of our planned activities such as outpatient appointments and non-emergency procedures may be rescheduled and any affected patients have been notified. If patients have not heard from us they should attend their appointments as normal.

John Morgan, a junior doctor at Airedale Hospital said he would be showing support at the picket before his A&E shift starts in the afternoon.

"Morale is poor. It goes a lot deeper than just the contract to be honest," he said.

Dr Johann Malawana, BMA Junior Doctor Chairman, said: "We deeply regret disruption to patients in Yorkshire, but the Government has left junior doctors with no choice.

"Ministers have made it clear they intend to impose a contract that is unfair on junior doctors and could undermine the delivery of patient care in the long term.

“The current proposals will affect those already working the most unsocial hours, hitting key parts of the NHS with the greatest problems in attracting and keeping doctors – such as our accident and emergency departments. This action is wholly avoidable but the Government must get back around the table and negotiate with junior doctors, rather than simply impose a contract in which they have no confidence.”

  • Anyone needing non-emergency medical help during the industrial action has been advised to consider NHS Choices, visit their local pharmacy or call their GP or NHS 111 for more serious matters.

For genuine emergency or life-threatening conditions call 999 as usual or go to A&E.