Junior doctors say they are striking today over new contracts because they will mean “dangerous hours that will harm future patients.”

Over 50 junior doctors at Whipps Cross Hospital will join thousands of others nationwide who are leaving their posts for 24 hours to protest against government plans to change their contracts.

They say the Government’s proposals for new contracts will reduce safeguards on the number of hours junior doctors can work, abolish increased pay for unsocial hours and a cut pay for A&E staff.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt wants junior doctors' working patterns to become more flexible in order to deliver the "seven-day NHS" the Conservatives promised in the general election

He plans to extend the times of the week junior doctors are paid only basic rates for working, from the current 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday to 7am to 10pm on weekdays and from 7am until 7pm on Saturdays.

Foundation doctor in endocrinology at Whipps Cross Dr Sarah Keegan said: “None of us want to strike, but we know that a contract with dangerous hours will harm our future patients.”

Senior house officer in cardiology Dr Claire Coyle said: "Tired doctors make mistakes and that is why it is so disappointing the government has failed to engage with our concerns about safe guarding junior doctor working hours."

British Medical Association (BMA) local negotiating committee member Dr Niki Fitzgerald said: “We didn’t want to get to this point. No doctor wants to go out on strike or cause any disruption to their patients’ care, but the government’s unwillingness to listen has meant we are left with absolutely no other choice.”

In the striking doctors’ absence, Whipps Cross is being left with consultant and emergency cover similar to that given to patients on weekends.

The strike began at 8am this morning and will last until the same time tomorrow. Junior doctors will be protesting outside the hospital from 9am to 6pm.

‘Meet the Doctors’ events are also being held outside Walthamstow Central and Leytonstone tube stations throughout the day, where the public can ask doctors any questions they have about the strike.

Dr Fitzgerald said: “We want to make sure the public understand that we have taken this action in support of the NHS and its future.

“We want them to get behind us, by writing to their local MPs, local newspapers and raising awareness to help save our NHS.”