JUNIOR doctors at Barnet Hospital have gone on a 24-hour strike in an ongoing dispute with the Government over a new contract.

Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) set up a picket line at the hospital in Wellhouse Lane at 8am today, and will provide emergency care only.

Safety, fairness and pay were the main concerns raised by many trainees over the new contract.

Others criticised the “spin” and “propaganda” being used by the Government in the dispute.

Around 20 trainees stood on the picket line at Barnet Hospital explaining the dispute to patients and members of the public, while gathering signatures of support.

Other hospital staff joined them to express their support.

BMA rep Matteo De Martino said the changes could result in a pay cut of around 30 per cent – which some trainees fear would price them out of London.

He said: “My biggest concern is it is unsafe, because they are removing protection and safeguards for hours worked.

“It is unfair because we work for a monopoly employer, who want to impose a contract which will cut our pay by around 30 per cent. And making Saturdays a normal week day will only make that worse for people with children. Working a Saturday and getting a Thursday in return is not the same.

“If I take this pay cut, I won’t be able to work in London and afford a flat here. I am already sharing. Several trainees have voiced to me they would have to leave London.”

Mr De Martino, a junior doctor of four years, said a recent survey showed there had been a 37 per cent drop in interest in studying medicine.

He said: “There has also been a drop in speciality applications, and this will hit some of the most important services.

“Ultimately, these are some of the brightest, and yet there is only so much good will which will get you working 12 days straight, missing family occasions, not seeing your children, when you could be doing so many other jobs.”

Many on the picket line praised the support they received at Barnet Hospital.

But Mr De Martino said morale throughout the NHS was at the lowest he had seen it.

He added: “It is difficult to come in and give your all and work with good will when you know you are going to go home and see yet another smear story, and another cut, or drop in admissions to your speciality or university course.”

The proposals by the Government will see junior doctors in England get an 11 per cent increase in their basic pay. 

But they will have to work more weekends,bonus pay for working unsociable hours will be curbed, and automatic pay rises after each year of training will be axed.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says it will help provide a seven day service - but doctors say the NHS already provides this.

Jyoti Sidhu, a junior doctor of nine years, works in the obstetrics and gynaecology department at Barnet Hospital.

She said: “Basically it is about being valued for what we do. The Government wants to impose a contract which is unfair to doctors and unsafe for patients. It is demonising to our whole profession. We love what we do, and we want to be valued for what we do.

“We do not think working till 10pm Monday to Friday, and all Saturday to 10pm at a standard rate, is sociable or conducive to a family life whatsoever. Life does not work like that. To suggest they are just ordinary, sociable hours is farcical.”

She criticised the “propaganda” being used by the Government in the dispute.

Ms Sidhu said: “There already is emergency care 24/7. What Jeremy Hunt has done is make people believe there are no doctors out of hours. The propaganda against doctors – saying we are not professional or dedicated – is disgusting. It makes you feel demoralised.”

Gary Folley, who works in paediatrics, said: “The Government is trying to impose a contract which is unsafe for patients, and unfair for junior doctors. They are trying to take away the safeguards that make sure if you or your relative comes into hospital, you are not treated by a doctor that is overworked or over tired.

“The big thing is patient safety. You do not want to be treated by a doctor that has worked 100-plus hours a week. They are trying to have the same service on a Saturday they would have on a Tuesday, without hiring the extra staff needed to do this.

“They have gone with the whole, ‘let’s put our foot down, they will cave, we will win’. What they have not relied on is the actual community feel there is and the fact the public have not been fooled by the spin.”

Further industrial action is planned to take place later this month and in February.

The Royal Free NHS Trust, which runs Barnet Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, issued a statement yesterday, which said measures were in place to ensure patient safety "is not compromised".

It said: We are working hard to ensure that cancellations are kept to a minimum. Patients whose treatment is affected will be contacted by telephone to change their appointments and all patients will be offered a new date in due course.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

“We have put plans in place to enable us to deliver safe services for patients during the strike action. Our priority will be to ensure that all urgent and emergency services at our hospitals run as normal.”

A spokesman for the Royal Free said 31 in-patient and day case operations were cancelled, along with 14 clinics, due to the industrial action. 

A total of 71 clinics were also running with fewer appointments than normal.