Junior doctors in Huddersfield today walked out for a second day of all-out strike action.

And they did so in musical style!

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.

The doctors’ colleagues at Calderdale Royal Hospital also walked out at 8am to show support for their colleagues across England who are taking part in a second day of all-out strike action during which they will provide no emergency care for patients.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

It comes after more than 20,000 junior doctors are estimated to have walked out on Tuesday as the dispute with the Government over a new contract continues.

The strikes are the first time doctors have stopped providing emergency care in the history of the NHS.

Hundreds of local appointments and operations have been cancelled by hospital chiefs in Huddersfield and Calderdale.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has admitted this is likely to be his “last big job in politics” but insisted the Government will not be “blackmailed” into dropping its manifesto pledge of improving seven-day services.

Figures compiled by NHS England suggest 78% of junior doctors (21,608) who were due to be working on Tuesday did not report for duty.

READ MORE:

However, NHS England said the figures had not been fully validated and include those who may be off due to sickness or other reasons.

Mr Hunt said on Tuesday that “elements” in the British Medical Association (BMA) had refused to compromise over the new contract, which will be imposed on doctors from August.

He said: “Insofar as it is a political strike, I do think there are some elements - not the majority and certainly not the majority of junior doctors - but there are some elements at the very top of the BMA who are absolutely refusing to compromise.”

Day 1 video below

Video Loading