This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35757347

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Junior doctors' strike: 48-hour walkout begins Junior doctor row taking toll on NHS, say health leaders
(about 1 hour later)
The third strike by junior doctors in their contract row with the government in England is under way. The junior doctor dispute is beginning to take its toll on the NHS in England, health service leaders are warning, as medics take part in their third strike.
The walkout started at 08:00 GMT and will last 48 hours - the longest one so far - but medics are once again providing emergency cover in hospitals. Doctors walked out at 08:00 GMT on Wednesday in a row with the government over the imposition of a new contract.
It comes after ministers announced last month they would impose the contract. Dr Anne Rainsberry, of NHS England, said the sustained nature of the industrial action was making it difficult for hospitals.
More than 5,000 treatments have had to be postponed, but polling released on the eve of the stoppage shows public support for doctors is holding firm. More than 5,000 operations and treatments have been postponed during the current 48-hour stoppage.
The poll of 860 adults by Ipsos MORI for the BBC showed 65% supported doctors going on strike - almost the same proportion as backed them ahead of the walkout last month. Some 17% said they were against the strike, a drop from 22% last time. It brings the total cancelled to 19,000 with hospitals working hard to re-arrange the treatments, which cover routine operations such as knee and hip replacements.
The poll did show an increase in the proportion of people blaming both sides for the dispute. That now stands at 28%, up from 18%. However, the majority - 57% - still blame the government.
Latest updates: Junior doctors' strike
The strike comes as Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is hosting an international patient safety meeting in London, which was planned before the strike was announced.
NHS bosses warned the strike was going to be "difficult" for the health service as the series of walkouts was beginning to take its toll - 19,000 treatments have been postponed in total because of the three stoppages this year.
The treatments that are being hit are all non-emergency procedures, including routine operations such as hip and knee replacements.
Thousands of check-ups, appointments and tests have been affected as well.Thousands of check-ups, appointments and tests have been affected as well.
Latest updates: Junior doctors' strike
Dr Anne Rainsberry, of NHS England, said: "This is clearly going to be a difficult couple of days. A 48-hour strike will put significantly more pressure on the NHS and the cumulative effect of these recurring strikes is likely to take a toll.Dr Anne Rainsberry, of NHS England, said: "This is clearly going to be a difficult couple of days. A 48-hour strike will put significantly more pressure on the NHS and the cumulative effect of these recurring strikes is likely to take a toll.
"The safety and care of patients is always our number one priority and staff across the NHS are doing all they can to minimise the impact on patients of the action.""The safety and care of patients is always our number one priority and staff across the NHS are doing all they can to minimise the impact on patients of the action."
How far apart were the two sides? Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, said she had "growing concern" about the dispute.
Analysis: Was a deal ever possible? "Whatever the rights and wrongs of the arguments put forward by either side, the failure to resolve the differences by agreement is bad for doctors, bad for the taxpayer, but above all bad for patients and the NHS."
But despite the disruption polling released on the eve of the stoppage shows public support for doctors is holding firm.
The poll of 860 adults by Ipsos MORI for the BBC showed 65% supported doctors going on strike - almost the same proportion as backed them ahead of the walkout last month. Some 17% said they were against the strike, a drop from 22% last time.
The poll did show an increase in the proportion of people blaming both sides for the dispute. That now stands at 28%, up from 18%. However, the majority - 57% - still blame the government.
The strike comes as Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is hosting an international patient safety meeting in London, which was planned before the strike was announced.
This week's walkout is the first of three 48-hour stoppages planned by the British Medical Association as they continue their fight against the government's plans to force through the changes to their pay and conditions. The next two are planned for April.This week's walkout is the first of three 48-hour stoppages planned by the British Medical Association as they continue their fight against the government's plans to force through the changes to their pay and conditions. The next two are planned for April.
The union has also said it will be launching a legal challenge to oppose the imposition of the contract that was announced following last month's strike.The union has also said it will be launching a legal challenge to oppose the imposition of the contract that was announced following last month's strike.
How far apart were the two sides?
Analysis: Was a deal ever possible?
On the eve of that walkout, government negotiators offered the BMA a last "take-it-or-leave-it" deal. It was rejected, prompting ministers to take the unprecedented step of forcing the country's 55,000 doctors to go on the new terms and conditions from the summer.On the eve of that walkout, government negotiators offered the BMA a last "take-it-or-leave-it" deal. It was rejected, prompting ministers to take the unprecedented step of forcing the country's 55,000 doctors to go on the new terms and conditions from the summer.
Mr Hunt said his hand was forced as the BMA was holding him to "ransom" and the changes were needed to help the NHS improve care at weekends. This is disputed by the BMA.Mr Hunt said his hand was forced as the BMA was holding him to "ransom" and the changes were needed to help the NHS improve care at weekends. This is disputed by the BMA.
But Dr Johann Malawana, the BMA's junior doctor leader, said: "We deeply regret disruption to patients, and have given trusts as much notice as possible to plan ahead, but the government has left junior doctors with no choice. Dr Johann Malawana, the BMA's junior doctor leader, said: "We deeply regret disruption to patients, and have given trusts as much notice as possible to plan ahead, 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.""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."
Read more from NickRead more from Nick
Follow Nick on TwitterFollow Nick on Twitter
Have you been affected by the strike? Are you a junior doctor or have you recently left the profession? Share your comments. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the strike? Are you a junior doctor or have you recently left the profession? Share your comments. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or comment using the form belowOr comment using the form below