JUNIOR doctors from Wirral have joined colleagues across the country in a second 24-hour strike as part of an ongoing dispute with the Government over a new contract.

Patients are being urged to "do all they can" to avoid adding pressure to emergency services during today's walkout, which began at 8am.

Emergency care only will be provided during the strike.

The British Medical Association (BMA) had held last-ditch talks with the Government in a bid to halt today's strike.

The first strike in January led to thousands of operations, procedures and appointments being cancelled across the NHS.

It was called by the BMA in response to an offer from the Government in November which said doctors would receive time-and-a-half for hours worked Monday to Sunday between 10pm and 7am, and time-and-a-third for any hours worked between 7pm and 10pm on Saturdays and 7am and 10pm on Sundays.

In its latest offer, ministers said that as part of an overall agreement, a premium rate of pay could kick in from 5pm on Saturdays rather than 7pm, and at 9pm Monday to Friday.

This was rejected by the BMA, which then put forward a proposal that would have seen doctors' basic pay rise by about half the 11% offered by ministers in return for Saturday not to be treated as a normal working day.

Dr Evan Moore, medical director at Wirral Hospital Trust, said robust plans are always in place during times of industrial action.

He said: "Our emergency department is for critical and life-threatening emergencies only.

"A&E patients are always seen in order of medical need.

"This can often mean that patients who could have been easily treated by a visit to a walk-in centre, GP or pharmacist, will usually be a lower priority resulting in a greater wait.

"By choosing the right health service from the start, patients will often be seen more quickly.

"If you don’t need urgent medical attention during this industrial action, please keep our busy emergency department free to those that really need our help."

In a letter to the chairman of the British Medical Association's council, Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was "sorry to learn" of the BMA's decision to go ahead.

He said: "Our door remains open and I hope that you will continue to reflect on the value of further discussions."