Epsom and St Helier hospitals are preparing for a staff walk-out after almost 100 per cent of junior doctors voted in favour of striking.

More than 37,000 junior doctors were balloted and 98 per cent voted in favour of a full strike and 99 per cent of action just short of a strike.

The ballot is a slap in the face to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt who wishes to impose a new contract that changes the definition of sociable hours and pay.

Dave Ash, former National Health Action Party candidate for Sutton and Cheam, threw his support behind the junior doctors and their decision to take industrial action.

He said: "I agree that today's announcement from junior doctors is regrettable, and I believe that Jeremy Hunt should hang his head in shame, for it is his actions which have led to this.

"It is Jeremy Hunt's intention to deliver the Government's unrealistic election pledge for a "7-Day NHS" while simultaneously attempting to force £22bn of efficiency savings in the NHS by 2020.

"The decision to strike should be seen as a referendum on this government and the previous Coalition government's appalling stewardship of the NHS.

"Hopefully this action will throw a spotlight onto what is going on under this government's policies."

A key sticking point for junior doctors is pay. Mr Hunt has offered an 11 per cent rise in basic pay for doctors, but unsociable hours - which offer more money - are being curbed.

Pay increases linked to time spent in the job are being scrapped and will be replaced with a scale linked to progression through training stages.

Mr Hunt said: "It is regrettable that junior doctors have voted for industrial action which will put patients at risk and see operations cancelled or delayed.

"We want to ensure that patients have the same quality of care across the week, and have put forward a generous offer that increases basic pay by 11 per cent and reduces doctors’ hours.

"We hope that junior doctors will consider the impact this action - especially the withdrawal of emergency care - will have on patients and reconsider."

Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles at Epsom and St Helier hospitals said: “Following the junior doctors’ ballot on industrial action, we wanted to assure local people that we are working hard to make sure any disruption to services is kept to a minimum, wherever possible.

“We are currently working to fully understand the potential impact of any industrial action and put appropriate plans in place.

"As such, we can’t provide more information at this time but will, of course, be making appropriate announcements as the situation develops.”

The walk-out will start at 8am on December 1 and will last for 24 hours. Another two full strikes have also been earmarked for December 8 and 16.