Junior doctors strike: Just one in three docs support latest industrial action despite union launching biggest walkout in NHS history, leaked documents show

LEAKED documents show just one in three doctors support the latest strike action despite their union launching the biggest walkout in NHS history.

A secret ballot earlier this summer showed the majority preferred other options than full-on strikes, including accepting the new Government contract and getting on with their jobs.

Just 31.5% of the doctors polled supported a full walkout that was time limited.

News of the survey comes as the British Medical Association announced five days of strike action this month by junior doctors in the ongoing dispute over pay, described by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt as the "worst strike in NHS history".

And they are threatening to stage further week-long walkouts once a month until Christmas, which could lead to the cancellation of 125,000 operations and a million appointments.

But there are now growing questions about the level of support there is amongst the wider profession for the strikes, despite the BMA saying it is "absolutely behind" the decision for further action.

It is understood the BMA approved the action by just 16 votes to 11 at a heated meeting, with at least two doctors present warning it would cost lives.

But a document prepared for Wednesday's meeting reveals junior doctors carried a second vote shortly after, asking what they wanted to do next – with 20% of junior doctors, around 7,000, taking part.

The results were never released, but it was leaked to the , revealing just 35.5% indicated they would be prepared to support an indefinite, total strike.

And even fewer said they would support a time limited walkout, but this was the option taken by the chairman of the BMA's junior doctors committee, Dr Ellen McCourt.

A spokesman for the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges said they are "disappointed" at the prospect of further sustained industrial action.

"We are acutely aware that the NHS is under extreme pressure at the moment. Patient safety and quality of care must be the priority," he said.

"We know there are genuine concerns about the contract and working arrangements, but we do not consider the proposed strikes are proportionate.

"Five days of strike action, particularly at such short notice, will cause real problems for patients, the service and the profession."

In the wake of the announcement Prime Minister Theresa May accused the BMA of failing to put patients first and "playing politics" - something doctors have denied

Its chairman Dr Mark Porter said: "I have to say it beggars belief that we can be accused of playing politics in this when the stated reason of the Government proceeding is that it was in their party manifesto. That, to me, is playing politics."

Six strikes have already taken place across England during the lengthy dispute, causing disruption to hundreds of thousands of patients who have had appointments and operations cancelled.

In May it looked as though a breakthrough had been reached in the dispute after both sides agreed to a new deal.

Then in July, the Government announced it would impose a new contract after junior doctors and medical students voted to reject the contract brokered between health leaders and the BMA.

The BMA said it will call off the strikes if the Government agrees to stop the imposition.

The first of the five-day walkouts will begin on September 12, but there could be more on October 5, November 14 and December 5.