Junior doctors set up a picket line this morning in an ongoing dispute over proposed contract changes with the government.
Staff at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals were among those taking part in the nationwide protest.
Patients of Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Ilford were warned of possible delays due to the 24 hour strike, which ends at 8am tomorrow.
Speaking yesterday at the protest in Romford, Simon Fleming, an orthopaedic registrar at BHRUT, said the action was necessary to ensure public safety.
“Today’s strike is sad but necessary to protect the NHS, its patients and its doctors,” the 32-year-old said.
“Removal of vital safeguards, the extension of standard hours and the changes to pay will all chip away at the amazing service junior doctors currently want to continue to provide.
“We all hope negotiations are eventually successful, but we do this for our patients and for a safer NHS.”
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