Militant union bosses orchestrating the carnage claim the medics - previously known as junior doctors - need a rise worth in excess of 29 per cent to make up for 17 years of 'pay erosion'.

Up to 50,000 NHS medics to join five-day walkout in pursuit of pay rise

The Head of the NHS said previous industrial action had been 'net positive from a financial point of view' for medics and their walkout must not be 'consequence-free' this time.