Thousands of junior doctors across England are preparing for a second day of strike action where they will provide no emergency care for patients.
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He added: ‘These two days of industrial action mark one of the lowest points in the wonderful history of the NHS’.
The University Hospital of North Midlands Trust said 931 cancellations were made across the county during the first all-out NHS strike in England.
The row over the new contracts that the Government wants to impose on junior doctors mainly focuses on weekend pay, with the new deal cutting the amount offered for doctors working at weekends, but increasing basic pay.
The British Medical Association – the trade union and professional body of doctors in the United Kingdom – says that the opposition by doctors to the contract is not just about Saturday overtime, but about broader issues.
Mr Hunt has said he will unilaterally introduce a new contract for junior doctors.
The Royal Bolton Hospital has confirmed it has had to cancel close to 1,300 outpatient appointments as well as 37 operations over the two day period.
Less intensive strike action was held earlier in the year.
This meant that more doctors were available to boost the picket line and resulted in the busiest demonstration of the saga so far.
Reza Rahman, from the anaesthetics department at QA Hospital, said: ‘We will continue to strike until the government starts listening.
Richard Wight, medical director of the trust, said after the day of action yesterday: “The Trust contingency plans, instigated to reduce the impact of the junior doctors strike, have worked well”.
Concerns are mounting that sick people will head for A&E this evening in the mistaken belief that hospitals will quickly return to “normal service” after 5pm, when the walkout is due to end.
Patients and visitors arriving at the Royal Infirmary in Acre Street, Lindley, were greeted by a rousing chorus of “We support the junior doctors…” to an accordion accompaniment.
Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs five hospitals in London, said around 11% of about 1,000 junior doctors were working on Tuesday across the trust.
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“If they change contracts for doctors then they will change them for the nurses it’s going to be risky for patients destabilise the NHS and is part of the bigger agenda of this government to lead us towards a private healthcare service”.
