Junior doctors in Dorset have begun striking in what is the longest walkout in NHS history.

The junior doctors are taking industrial action for five days of strikes from 7.00 am today (Thursday July 13) until 7.00 am on Tuesday July 18.

The strikes come after a National Training Survey found that two-thirds (66%) of trainees and over half (52%) of trainers are at high or moderate risk of burnout.

During the strikes, Dorset County Hospital has confirmed that some medically-led activity will be postponed and appointments may be rearranged.

Members of the public have been urged to only use 999 in life-threatening emergencies during the strike action.

A spokesperson for Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said:

"Our junior doctors are vital for patient care and the running of our hospital services. 

"During their industrial action, some medically-led activity will be postponed to ensure that we can provide safe emergency and inpatient care.

"You will hear directly from us if we have to rearrange your appointment - if you don't hear from us please attend as planned. 

"No-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen at our Emergency Department (ED). However, please keep 999 and ED clear for life-threatening emergencies."

Co-chairs of the junior doctor's committee Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi said:

“Today marks the start of the longest single walkout by doctors in the NHS’s history – but this is still not a record that needs to go into the history books. We can call this strike off today if the UK Government will simply follow the example of the government in Scotland and drop their nonsensical precondition of not talking whilst strikes are announced and produce an offer which is credible to the doctors they are speaking with."