JUNIOR doctors have defied Health Secretary and South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt by calling three more 48-hour strikes, the first scheduled to start at 8am on Wednesday, March 9.

They are also seeking a judicial review of the government’s plan to impose new contracts on them.

In addition to the industrial action planned for March 9, 48-hour strikes from 8am are due to be held on April 6 and April 26. None will affect emergency care but will disrupt services to patients. The last strike on February 10 resulted in 14 operations and 153 of 1,593 outpatients appointments at Royal Surrey County Hospital being postponed.

British Medical Association (BMA) junior doctor committee chairman Dr Johann Malawana said: “If the government wants more seven-day services then, quite simply, it needs more doctors, nurses and support staff, and the extra investment necessary to deliver them.

“Rather than address these issues head on, the government wants to introduce a contract that is unfair and in which junior doctors have no confidence.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “Further strike action is completely unnecessary and will mean tens of thousands more patients face cancelled operations – over a contract that was 90 per cent agreed with the BMA and which senior NHS leaders have endorsed as fair and safe. The new contract will mean an average 13.5 per cent basic pay rise, and will bring down the maximum number of hours doctors can work.

“We urge junior doctors to look at the detail of the contract and the clear benefits it brings.”

An online parliamentary petition was lodged after Mr Hunt confirmed on February 11 that the government would impose a new contract starting in August. The petition calling for a vote of no confidence in the Health Secretary has gathered more than 323,000 signatures, three times the number required to trigger a debate in the Commons.