As junior doctors stage an all-out strike for the first time in NHS history, This Morning's Dr Ranj Singh has hit out at health secretary Jeremy Hunt and criticised the government's proposed new contract.
Speaking live from a picket line outside London's St Thomas Hospital, the doctor also said he expects more industrial action in the future if an agreement over contracts is not reached.
Speaking to presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, Dr Ranj said: "I'm here with a whole host of junior doctor colleagues of mine and other health care professionals, because we all feel so worried with this contract that is threatened to be forced through and is possibly going to lead to a massive destabilisation.
"It's got to this because the Government are digging in their heels, they have decided that they are going to force through a contract that we fundamentally feel is not just unfair, but is actually unsafe. And that's why we are so worried and that's why we are here. I'm hoping that someone in the Government is listening to us…"
Dr Ranj, who is a junior doctor himself, added: "We are not unreasonable people, we have been round the negotiating table time and time again. The problem is there are lots of discrepancies and holes in the contract that is being proposed, and that's what's leading it to be fundamentally unfair.
"How can you provide a contract that is supposed to be cost neutral, but at the same time you're saying we're giving doctors a pay rise? When you're saying that the contract is fair, but the only equality assessment has shown that it disadvantages women, carers, and lone parents… there are so many holes like that in the contract… it's going to lead to real harm."
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He added: "We all have a duty of care to our patients and that's why we are here. And we can safely reassure everybody that everyone else who works in the NHS - including consultants, senior doctors, nurses, pharmacists - everybody has pulled out all the stops.
"Lots of big contingency plans have been put in place to make sure things like emergency care is still available between the hours of 9am-5pm today and tomorrow when this junior strike is in progress."
Speaking about the doctor who spectacularly resigned on live TV yesterday, saying: "Sadly people are already resigning, and more will resign if the contract is forced through. Jeremy Hunt was given several offers [to discuss or trial suggestions].
"People need to see that junior doctors are out here protesting this, but we're not seeing Jeremy Hunt out here at all - that is really telling in itself and that should get people seriously worried."
Speaking about the chances of future action, Dr Ranj said: "Unfortunately I think there will be more strikes and they may be for longer - and that's not something that we want.
"We all have a very, very heavy heart, we do not want to do this but we have been backed into a corner."
