Junior doctors at the Whittington Hospital went on strike on Wednesday for the second time this year – the day before Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt imposed a new contract on them.

There were fewer staff on the pickets at the main entrance and on Highgate Hill than last month during this week’s 24-hour walkout, which began at 8am on Wednesday. Emergency cover was provided. The main sticking point is doctors’ overtime on Saturdays.

The British Medical Association (BMA) claims the new contract will be unsafe as the government wants to scrap the financial penalties that are in place when doctors work excessive hours.

The government says its contract is part of a plan to deliver a “24/7” NHS.

Taimur Shah, a urological surgeon, said: “We already work long hours and overtime for no pay. We just want recognition for the work we do.”

Mr Shah, 33, added: “We hope the public carry on supporting us. This is not just about us, it is about the future of the NHS. This is the first step in trying to chip away at free healthcare.”

The BMA said that Mr Hunt was a “bully” and said it would “consider all options open to us”.

• Keywords
  DOCTORS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, STRIKES
• Geographical keyword
  MAGDALA AVENUE, HIGHGATE HILL
• Persons keyword
  Jeremy Hunt, Whittington Hospital, British Medical Association