Junior doctors are protesting outside Stoke Mandeville hospital in the first all-out doctors’ strike in NHS history, after a long-running dispute with the government over contracts.

A&E, intensive care and maternity services have been affected for the first time, and more than 900 patient appointments have been rescheduled across Buckinghamshire as a result of the strike.

BMA member for Bucks Healthcare Trust, Dr Rebecca Davies, said the strike was not taking place for “any trivial reason” and they were trying to “safeguard patients’ safety” for the future.

She said: “We are very sorry to everybody who has had their appointment cancelled or rescheduled. Consultants are providing cover for junior doctors who are protesting.”

At the picket line, junior doctors chanted: "2, 4, 6, 8, why won't you negotiate?" 

Speaking about their hours, Dr Davies said more investment and training of new junior doctors was needed to cope with the proposed seven-day service by health secretary Jeremy Hunt, since the current crop of junior doctors already work on weekends and out of hours.

She said: “He wants to have doctors working at the weekend but has no plans to have more junior doctors. We cannot see how this is going to work.

“We already work seven days a week, 24-hours a day. We don’t know what he means by a seven-day service because we already do this. Our concern [with the proposed contract] is that we will work longer and more unsafe hours.

“There is a lack of safeguarding to our hours.”

Bucks Healthcare Trust has also apologised to patients for any inconvenience and said all emergency services, including A&E, cardiac and stroke, critical care and maternity services at Bucks hospitals will continue to function.

A spokesman said: “The safety of our patients is our primary concern. In order to ensure that our emergency services are fully supported, we have been unfortunately forced to cancel a number of planned clinic appointments and procedures.

"All patients affected will be contacted personally by the Trust to inform them and offer alternative arrangements.”

The strike is planned to run between 8am and 5pm today and tomorrow.

Doctors have issued advice to residents across the county, reminding people to visit a GP of pharmacy, or call NHS 111, if in need of medical help or advice.

- Have you been affected by the strike? Get in touch by tweeting @bucksfreepress or email shruti.sheth@london.newsquest.co.uk