Junior doctors at Newham University Hospital are set to join their colleagues from across the country in a 48-hour strike tomorrow.
The industrial action will see staff provide emergency care only from 8am until the same time on Friday.
It is the first of three new waves of strike action in opposition to the decision to impose a new contract on junior doctors.
Further 48-hour walkouts will take place beginning on Wednesday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 26.
During the strike periods, other doctors and NHS staff will continue to provide patient care.
Today’s planned walkout is the latest stage in a long-running dispute between the British Medical Association and the government over a proposed new contract.
The union claims politicians are attempting to impose new weekend shift arrangements and a change to what constitutes unsociable hours.
Dr Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctor committee chairman, said when the strikes were announced last month: “If [the government] pushes ahead with plans to impose a contract that junior doctors have resoundingly rejected we will be left with no option but to take this action.”
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