STRIKING junior doctors in Worcestershire say public support remains for their ongoing fight with the Government over a controversial new contract.

Doctors taking part in the industrial action manned a picket line at Worcestershire Royal Hospital this morning carrying placards, and handing out leaflets explaining the reason they are on strike for 48 hours.

In previous strikes junior doctors have provided emergency care, but this time the industrial action sees a full walk-out by junior doctors, with no emergency cover provided between 8am and 5pm on strike days.

The strike is the fifth by junior doctors over the contract, set to be imposed by the Government this August.

Hari Babu, a junior doctor on the Worcester hospital's picket line, said people coming into the hospital had been very supportive.

"They have told us to keep fighting, I think public support is still strong," Mr Babu said.

"I think people realise the Government is being very bullish.

"We are not asking for anything radical, we are not asking for a pay rise.

"We want to make sure we have good working conditions for the sake of ourselves, and our patients.

"We are just asking to get back round the table."

Mr Babu said it was important the public knew emergency services were being maintained, because senior doctors were covering them.

"Services are reduced, but everyone who comes into A&E will be seen by a senior doctor," he added.

Georgie Birch, a GP trainee, said: "This is not a fight about pay - that is bottom of the list.

"It is a fight about better working conditions, and patient safety."

Ahead of the strike, local NHS organisations stressed they were working together to minimise disruption to services and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust - which runs Worcestershire Royal as well as Kidderminster Hospital and Redditch's Alexandra Hospital - says it has plans in place to mitigate the disruption.

Rab McEwan, the trust's interim chief operating officer, said the industrial action had led to 51 operations being cancelled and 355 outpatient appointments having to be rescheduled.

Mr McEwan said: "We are providing the full emergency service across the county patch.

"Staff are making sure people are receiving emergency treatment efficiently and effectively. Health professions are working to make sure there are not any avoidable delays.

"I do understand, for people with appointments now facing a longer wait, there is disruption and we apologise for that."