Junior doctors are preparing to go on strike today for a fourth round of industrial action in their long-running contract dispute with Government.

The 48-hour walkout will see medics across south London and north Surrey leave their posts at 8am.

Planned operations at a number of hospitals have been postponed, although emergency cover will be provided. 

The strike is the second since Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced he would impose new contract by August and claimed the union had refused “point blank to discuss reforms”.

RELATED: Jeremy Hunt accused of "bullying approach" in decision to force junior doctor contracts

RELATED: Junior doctors from Croydon University Hospital on the picket line over Jeremy Hunt's decision to force new contract

RELATED: St George's Hospital chief exec says Jeremy Hunt should not impose junior doctors' contracts

Under the contracts junior doctors will get an increase in their basic pay, but will have to work more weekends. Guaranteed pay rises linked to time in the job will be axed and bonus pay for working unsociable hours will be curbed.

The doctor's union, the British Medical Association (BMA), has warned that the new contract would force junior doctors into working "dangerously long hours without breaks", putting patients lives at risk.

Last month the BMA launched a judicial review challenging Mr Hunt's decision to impose the new contract.

Dr Johann Malawana, chairman of the BMA junior doctors committee said: "In trying to push through these changes, prior to imposing a new contract, the Government failed to give proper consideration to the equalities impact this contract could have on junior doctors.

"The Government’s shambolic mishandling of the process, from start to finish, has alienated a generation of doctors — the hospital doctors and GPs of the future — leaving a real risk that some will vote with their feet and the future of patient care will be affected."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "If the BMA had agreed to negotiate on Saturday pay, as they promised to do through ACAS in November, we’d have a negotiated agreement by now – instead, we had no choice but to proceed with proposals recommended and supported by NHS leaders."

Alison Smith, deputy chief operating officer at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said: “Patients always come first and our staff will be working very hard to ensure we can provide safe care for urgent and emergency cases during the industrial action.

"During the previous disputes we have been busy but coped well, thanks to everyone working together.

”For patients whose operations or appointments at the Trust have been cancelled, we are truly sorry for any disruption caused, but we are working extremely hard to reschedule new dates as soon as possible.”

A statement on the St George's Hospital website said: "If there are changes to an appointment that you have arranged at our hospitals on a day of action, we will contact you. 

"If you do not hear from us, please assume your appointment remains unchanged.

"St George’s overriding concern and obligation is to provide high quality and safe care to patients during this time."

An Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust spokeswoman said: "Our hospitals and staff are likely to be very busy during this 48-hour period, and as always, we are asking people to only come to our A&E departments in an emergency.

"We are working hard to keep any disruption to services to an absolute minimum.

"If there are changes to an appointment that you have arranged at our hospitals on any day of action, we will contact you."

Are you striking today? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6388 or email daniel.omahony@newsquest.co.uk