First-ever all-out doctors' strike in England Tuesday April 26,2016

The first-ever all-out doctors' strike is a "bleak day", ministers say, but hospitals seem to be coping well during Tuesday April 26,2016's stoppage in England.

Junior doctors walked out of routine and emergency care at 08:00 BST.

The strike affects A&E, maternity and intensive care for the first time.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt expressed disappointment that the stoppage was taking place, but again said the government would not back down and halt the imposition of the new contract.

The walkout ends at 17:00 BST with further all-out action due to take place on Wednesday, between the same hours, in the protest against the imposition of the new contract from the summer.

Junior doctors hold placards as they take part in the start of a 48-hour strike on their picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital in London, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Thousands of doctors have posted picket lines outside of hospitals around England in the first all-out strike in the history of the National Health Service(NHS)

 

How the dispute reached stalemate ?

• Talks broke down in January  2016 and after a final take-it-or-leave it offer from government was rejected by the BMA in February, ministers announced the contract would be imposed
• It will reduce the amount paid for weekend work, but basic pay is being increased
• The BMA wants a more generous weekend pay allowance and more investment for more seven-day services
• Two legal challenges are being pursued by doctors against the imposition
• Hospitals are pushing ahead with the new contract - offers are expected to go out in May
• The government is refusing to reopen talks, arguing it made compromises earlier in the year but the BMA did not
• The first four strikes in 2016 all involved emergency cover being provided, before the all-out stoppages on 26 and 27 April