Junior doctors from across the borough started the first of their 48-hour strikes taking place through March and April.
Hundreds of doctors joined picket lines outside Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, as well as King’s College and Maudsley hospitals.
The national bout of industrial action began at 8am today, and junior doctors will be out of the wards until Friday morning.
Their campaign is against the government’s decision to impose new contracts on junior doctors that will see them work more hours over weekends and nights, but receive a pay cut in real-terms.
The contracts will also see the removal of fines and sanctions designed to stop trusts from over-working their staff, which medical groups say will increase risks to patient safety.
BMA junior doctors committee chair Johann Malawana said: “We deeply regret disruption to patients, but the Government has left junior doctors with no choice.
“Ministers have made it clear they intend to impose a contract that is unfair on junior doctors and could undermine the delivery of patient care in the long term.
“The current proposals will affect those already working the most unsocial hours, hitting key parts of the NHS with the greatest problems in attracting and keeping doctors — such as our accident and emergency departments.
“This action is wholly avoidable but the Government must get back around the table and negotiate with junior doctors, rather than simply impose a contract in which they have no confidence.”
Further scheduled dates for industrial action include 8am on Wednesday April 6 to 8am on Friday April 8, and 8am Tuesday April 26 to 8am on Thursday April 28.
