STRIKING junior doctors and their supporters have manned a picket line outside Airedale Hospital this morning.

The demonstration began at 8am and involved a group of about 25 people with placards outside the main entrance on Skipton Road.

The latest 24-hour walkout comes after doctors took part in strike action on January 12. It is due to a dispute with the Government over pay and conditions.

Megan Atkinson, one of the junior doctors picketing outside Airedale today, said: "At the moment we feel we've not been given any other option, and this is the only way we can get our point across to the Government.

"The contract they are trying to impose on us is not fair and in the long-term it will put patients in danger."

Nicola Holmes, a first year doctor also taking part in the strike, said: "A 'Seven-day-a-week NHS' is a good headline-grabber for the Government but it isn't possible to further burden what is already an overstretched service.

"We are doing 24/7 emergency work already."

Stacey Hunter, director of operations at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “Like other hospitals throughout the country we are facing industrial action by junior doctors today.

"Patient safety is our priority and we have worked with our staff, including consultants, nurses, other health professionals and union representatives, to ensure high quality and safe care and welfare are maintained. 

“There has been a need to rearrange some of our planned activities such as outpatient appointments and non-emergency operations, we have contingency plans in place to ensure that any urgent and emergency care can continue.

"We have contacted anyone whose appointment or operation has been affected and will do our best to reschedule these as soon as possible. If patients have not heard from us they should attend their appointments as normal.

“If anyone needs medical help during the industrial action and it’s not an emergency they should consider NHS Choices, or visit their local pharmacy – or call their GP or NHS 111 for more serious matters.

If their condition is an emergency or life-threatening they should call 999 as usual or go to A&E."

*More strike coverage in next week's edition of the Keighley News