THOUSANDS of junior doctors in Wales begin a four-day strike today, their third round of industrial action in a bitter dispute over pay. 

The 96-hour walkout will be the longest strike yet in the ongoing dispute with the Welsh government.

BMA Cymru Wales co-chairman Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu said: “It’s extremely sad and frustrating that we find ourselves here again, our third strike and our longest yet. 

“We want to reiterate that the strikes can be called off at any time if the Welsh government puts forward a credible pay offer to form the basis of talks.”

BMA Cymru Wales wrote asking new First Minister Vaughan Gething, a former health minister, to directly intervene in the dispute which started in December, when 98 per cent of junior doctors voted to strike to restore their pay after rejecting a below-inflation offer of 5 per cent.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Eluned Morgan was reappointed by Mr Gething and said: “While we wish to address pay restoration ambitions, our offer is at the limits of the finances available and reflects the position reached with the other health unions for this year.

“Without additional funding from the UK government, we are not in a position to currently offer more,” Ms Morgan said.

The union is expecting more than 3,000 doctors from Welsh hospitals and GP surgeries across Wales to take strike action.

Dr Babs-Osibodu said: “While we continue to be undervalued and disregarded for our work in the health service, our resolve to restore our pay remains unbroken — enough is enough.   

“Junior doctors are starting their careers earning £13.65 an hour in Wales. Is that all they are worth?

“They are providing lifesaving care after training for years and are shouldering up to £100,000 of debt.”

The Welsh government said it was working with NHS Wales and the BMA to ensure patient safety is protected while junior doctors take strike action.

BMA Cymru Wales co-chairman Dr Peter Fahey said: “It is no surprise that we are losing doctors as they search for better pay and conditions elsewhere.

“Losing our doctors at a time when waiting lists are at record highs will mean patients suffering more than they are already.”