JUNIOR doctors across Hampshire took to the picket line for the fourth time yesterday over a controversial new employment contract.

Around 100 doctors waved banners outside Southampton General Hospital at the start of a 48-hour strike, which lasts until 8am tomorrow.

Junior doctors will provide emergency care only during the strike, which is expected to hit hospitals hard so soon after the Easter break.

Dr Anastasia Theodosiou, 27, a junior doctor in general medicine, said: “We are out here again today for two reasons – the ongoing imposition of an unfair contract and for the government’s refusal to return to the negotiating table, and the government’s own equality analysis which displays discrimination against women.

“The contract is unsafe for patients and for doctors. By increasing non-essential care doctors will be spread more thinly and doctors are finding it hard to staff departments as it is.”

Dr Sohaib Rufai, a junior doctor working in general surgery, said: “I’m here with my colleagues standing against this unsafe contract which will damage the quality of care and training and will see doctors spread more thinly. Patients will be seen by different doctors throughout the week which is unsuitable for elderly patients in particular who may have complex care needs.”

Around 30 doctors were outside Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

Forty procedures have been cancelled across Winchester, Andover and Basingstoke hospitals, around five per cent of the total.

Southampton hospital chiefs said they were unable to provide cancellation figures until the end of the walkout.

Patients whose appointments are affected have been contacted in advance. Those who have not been contacted should attend as planned and can call the number on their appointment letter if they have concerned.