She said: “Trusts across the country are working hard to ensure they are as prepared as possible in order to provide the best service to patients, who are likely to be severely inconvenienced by this industrial action”.
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The doctors were also accused by senior medics of staging “unforgiveable” strikes which were “disproportionate” to their contract row.
The extra strike dates come on top of the five days of action announced on Wednesday, which will take place from September 12 to 16.
In May, the two sides met for renewed talks at the conciliation service ACAS and brokered by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
“Our board and the trusts we represent are therefore formally calling on the BMA to reconsider their proposed strikes for the sake of patients”.
“We are now working on our specific plans for the forthcoming industrial action to ensure that disruption for patients is kept to an absolute minimum, and we will be drawing on our learning from previous industrial action as we work through the detail of these”.
“We want to resolve this dispute through talks, but in forcing through a contract that junior doctors have rejected and which they don’t believe is good for their patients or themselves, the Government has left them with no other choice”.
It said the strikes in September, October, November and December were an “unforgivable” betrayal of those needing care.
Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, added that the industrial action is a “devastating blow to patients, and a destructive next step as far as any kind of negotiations go”.
“At least one person a day calls our helpline specifically to ask for support following a cancelled or delayed hospital appointment or surgery”.
A group of senior medical professionals has condemned the latest series of strikes proposed by junior doctors.
The first five consecutive days of strike action will run from September 12-16, to be followed by five more in October, November and December, traditionally some of the busiest months with the rise of winter bug viruses.
“None have voted in favour of four sets of five-day strikes – by far the most disruptive industrial action in NHS history”.
A new agreement was then drawn up between the BMA and the government, with the union urging its members to accept the offer.
The British Medical Association, representing junior doctors, said that the decision was made at a special meeting on Thursday.
“As with previous periods of industrial action, our first priority is the safe care of our patients”.
Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive of NHS Employers, part of the Government’s negotiating team, said: “The BMA’s claim that further strike action is necessary because the Government has refused to provide detail over seven day services simply doesn’t stack up”.
Some 51% said Theresa May was wrong to reappoint Mr Hunt as Health Secretary when she became Prime Minister.
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Voters aged 55 or over are opposed to the strikes by 53% to 47%, though there is stronger support for the junior doctors’ position among younger voters.
