Junior doctors from West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds take part in BMA strike action

Junior doctors who have been on the picket line outside a Suffolk hospital for the past three days, have thanked the public, colleagues and the local hospital trust for their support.

Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) union, are calling for a 'full pay restoration' to 'reverse the steep decline in pay faced by junior doctors' since 2008/2009.

Dr Ed Frew, a junior doctor, currently working at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, said he has seen friends leave the NHS due to concerns over pay.

Explaining his reason for striking Dr Frew said: "Junior doctors have been experiencing a real terms pay cut for the last 15 years.

"I want to work in a health system that has fully motivated staff and a full roster of staff."

Dr Frew, thanked members of the public for their 'heartwarming support' and added that he hoped the pay dispute would be 'wrapped up quickly'.

He added: "We are are waiting for the Government to come to the negotiating table - and we are keen to talk to them."

Junior doctor and BMA member Tim Nye, added: " The good majority of cars going past have given us a honk or a wave.

" There has been support from within the hospital as well, people have been coming down with treats for us, keeping us warm.

"It is just demonstrating the strength of support that we have, as doctors it is really important our value is appreciated, to keep us in the NHS ultimately."

Nurses from West Suffolk Hospital have also joined the junior doctors on the picket line to show solidarity, and a group of consultants from the hospital also sent a letter of support to their junior colleagues.

Consultants have been ensuring the hospital, and West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (WSNFT) that runs it, has been operating safely during the strike action, which started on Monday.

Some appointments and elective operations have been cancelled.

Dr Paul Molyneux, Medical Director at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are having to assess which of our patients should be prioritised to attend the hospital for their operations. This is based on clinical need and urgency.

"Sadly for most people, we are having to postpone appointments and procedures to redeploy our consultant workforce to our emergency departments and other critical services in order to ensure we have adequate cover in these core services at this time."