JUNIOR doctors are becoming “increasingly frustrated” as they take industrial action for the fourth time in four months tomorrow

Medics will walk onto a picket line outside the Great Western Hospital for a 24-hour strike, in protest at proposed pay cuts by the Department of Health.

This will be followed by a full 48-hour strike starting on Tuesday, April 26, where all care, including emergency cover will be withdrawn for the first time, leaving senior consultants to fill care gaps.

Dr Julia Barr, who works at Great Western Hospital, said the pressure was beginning to mount for the medics.

“Just this last week, doctors are being increasingly frustrated at the fact that they have to continue striking. It goes against everything we believe in," she said.

“Maybe having this full on strike at the end of the month will get the message across, that hasn’t come across before. That doctors are being unfairly treated and something needs to change.

“I want the NHS to be preserved and if they don’t reconsider the options available to doctors then some may reconsider their options.I think it will place a strain on the hospital and the staff.”

Julia along with fellow medics plans to spend the day volunteering with homeless charity Threshold Housing Link and Headway, which helps those with brain injuries.

“I wanted to do something different this time, I wanted to help people and find out more about charities in the area,” said Julia.

Great Western Hospital currently employs 256 junior doctors, with 139 current members of the British Medical Association.

It will see an acute loss of its workforce with scheduled procedures such as hip replacements, knee operations and routine clinics set to encounter interruption and delays.

Oonagh Fitzgerald, HR director of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust had reduced the amount of operations booked to ensure workload could be managed.

“We are working hard to ensure that our services can continue as planned and that disruption to patients is kept to a minimum," she said.

“In preparation, fewer routine operations will be booked and consultants and other clinicians will cover duties usually carried out by junior doctors.

“Any patient whose appointment is affected will be contacted in advance and given an alternative date at the earliest opportunity. Unless contacted, patients should attend hospital as planned.

“As always we will offer advice to patients and visitors through our website and Twitter and Facebook accounts.”

The junior doctors' protest began when the Department of Health announced a contract which could cut junior doctors pay by 40 per cent and make them work much longer hours. Extra evening and Saturday pay will be lost as a result.

Last month, health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced plans to impose the contract, despite fierce opposition from the British Medical Association.

The contract, which will come into force this summer will see junior doctors normal working week changed to include Saturday and stretch until 10pm every weeknight except Saturday and Sunday.