JUNIOR doctors in south Cumbria started a fresh five-day walkout on Thursday - the 11th strike since their dispute began some 20 months ago.

NHS leaders have raised concerns about the 'major disruption' the strike by British Medical Association members will cause in the aftermath of a heatwave which prompted a yellow 'heat-health alert' across much of the country.

Emergency cover will still be provided across the area's hospitals however increased waiting times are expected and many routine operations and appointments are likely to be rescheduled.

The area's NHS bosses said plans were in place to provide emergency cover and protect patient safety over the period of industrial action.

The BMA said pickets would be focused around large regional hospitals on the first day of strike action, with the nearest gathering in Preston.

Junior doctors said they would call off the strike if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a credible commitment to restore their pay.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “We can’t go on like this. Strikes can’t become ‘business as usual’ for the NHS and patients.

“It’s vital that the next government and junior doctors reset industrial relationships and prevent any more walkouts.

“Preparing for strikes, keeping patients safe throughout them and having to rebook thousands of treatments takes an enormous amount of time.

“Failure to resolve the dispute means more disruption for patients and staff, with more operations, scans and other care postponed on top of the 1.5 million already hit by industrial action across the NHS.”

Junior doctors make up half of the medical workforce and their last walkout in February led to 91,048 appointments, procedures and operations being cancelled.

The strike started at 7am on June 27 and ends on July 2, two days before voters go to the polls in the General Election.

NHS leaders have said people should continue to use 999 in life-threatening emergencies and NHS 111 – on the NHS app, online, or by phone – for other health concerns.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “Last year, the Government accepted the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies in full, which saw junior doctors receive a pay rise of between 8.1% and 10.3%. This was the most generous workforce settlement in the private sector.

“There is Cabinet Office guidance determining what is appropriate Government behaviour during the pre-election period. In line with the guidance, it would not be appropriate for Government to make a pay offer. The BMA know this but have refused to call off the strikes."