NHS apologises as five-day doctor's strike begins

Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, are staging a five-day walkout over a pay dispute

The NHS will be "open for business" in the South West, as doctors begin a five-day strike, health bosses have said.

British Medical Association (BMA) organised the walkout over a pay dispute involving resident doctors - formerly known as junior doctors.

The government awarded doctors a 5.4% pay rise for this financial year following a 22% increase over the previous two years, but the BMA said wages were still about 20% lower in real terms than in 2008.

Dr Trevor Smith, South West regional medical director for NHS England, apologised for the impact the strike would have on services but patients were advised to attend appointments unless told not to.

Dr Trevor Smith said patients should attend appointments unless told otherwise

Dr Smith said high priority operations would take place and patients in life-threatening situations should call 999.

Patients with other urgent healthcare requirements should contact 111, he said.

"Very sadly, and I'm sorry to say this, there is an impact on patients," Dr Smith said.

"We're trying very hard and we are working very hard with all of our teams to minimise that impact.

"One of the important messages that I want to convey is the NHS remains open for business and is open to look after and care for patients, particularly where there are any emergencies."

'Last resort'

In a letter sent to NHS resident doctors ahead of the strike, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he "deeply regretted" the situation.

"Strike action should always be a last resort - not the action you take immediately following a 28.9% pay award from a government that is committed to working with you to further improve your lives at work," he said in the letter.

The BMA said Streeting and his officials had refused to continue talks across the strike days and the minister's letter to them "amounted to nothing more than vague promises on non-pay issues".