JUNIOR doctors in Worcester have staged a walk out this morning in a dispute over proposed changes to their pay and working hours.

During the industrial action, which began at 8am this morning (Wednesday), junior doctors from the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will provide emergency care only.

The strike, organised by the British Medical Association (BMA), is due to finish at 8am on Thursday.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust has said 131 junior doctors have been involved in the industrial action, which has led to two inpatient operations, one day case and 17 outpatient appointments being cancelled.

Dr Andy Phillips, interim chief medical officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We would like to reassure you that we expect to provide as full a service as we possibly can during this period.

"We have tried and tested plans to deal with a range of disruptions including industrial action."

Speaking on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the BMA said: "The BMA does regret the disruption to patients that will be caused by tomorrow's industrial action, but the government has left junior doctors in Worcester and throughout the rest of the country with no choice."

The major sticking point is the issue of weekend pay and whether Saturdays should be classed as normal "plain" time or should attract a premium.

The spokesperson continued: "Ministers are putting politics first and insisting on plans that could undermine the delivery of patient care in the long term.

"Its current proposals will affect junior doctors, including those in Worcestershire, who already work the most unsocial hours, and hit those parts of the NHS that already have the greatest problems in attracting and keeping doctors - A&E for example.

"Our door remains open: we want to reach a negotiated agreement, but the Government must be reasonable and work with the BMA to reach a fair resolution to this dispute."

A Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust spokesman said: "Today was scheduled as an audit day so we have managed to cover many clinics with senior nurses and consultants.  

"This means that the numbers of cancellations are lower than would have been expected on a normal operational day.  

"These may increase however as clinical teams are trying to ensure that everyone who is due to be seen today, is seen and treated as expected."