Others stressed they are not “expecting a pay rise tomorrow” and what they are asking for will help tackle long waiting times for treatment.
It comes as Health Secretary Wes Streeting apologised to patients for the disruption that will be caused by the five-day walkout, which started at 7am on Wednesday (December 17).
Speaking outside of LGI, resident doctor Francesco Palazzo addressed the concerns raised over the care received by patients during the strikes, saying that those taking their places would be “doctors with 20 to 30 years of experience”, adding: “Actually, the service you’ll receive is far better than on any other day of the year.
“The days that I’m worried about my elderly parents going into the hospital are any other day of the year.
“Look at October. In October there were no strikes and it wasn’t winter, yet we had 54,000 patients nationally who were waiting more than 12 hours to be seen by a doctor. That’s completely unacceptable in a health service that claims to be the pinnacle of global healthcare.”
According to a YouGov poll published last week, public support for the strikes is low.
The survey found 58% of those asked either somewhat or strongly oppose the industrial action, while 33% somewhat or strongly support it.
Speaking to Sky News, Dr Layla McCay, from the NHS Confederation, said healthcare leaders are concerned the “disruption that is being caused this week will be felt all the way into January and beyond”.
Mr Streeting also told MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee he is “just as, if not more, worried” about the weeks that follow the strike.
Resident doctors will return to work on December 22.
1. Strike action
A person on the resident doctors picket line outside Leeds General Infirmary, on the first day of a five-day walkout over pay and jobs, which could see up to half of the medical workforce in England could stop work. | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
2. Doctors strike
Health Secretary Wes Streeting apologised to patients as doctors began a five-day walkout in England in an ongoing row over jobs and pay. | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
3. 'Worst time'
West Streeting said health officials are working to minimise the impact of the strike, but warned patients will face disruption as the walkout comes at the “worst time” for the NHS. Hospitals are dealing with rising flu cases and other winter illnesses. | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
4. Dispute
Speaking outside of LGI, resident doctor Francesco Palazzo addressed the concerns raised over the care received by patients during the strikes, saying that those taking their places would be “doctors with 20 to 30 years of experience”, adding: “Actually, the service you’ll receive is far better than on any other day of the year." | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
5. 'Completely unacceptable'
The striking resident doctor added: "The days that I’m worried about my elderly parents going into the hospital are any other day of the year. “Look at October. In October there were no strikes and it wasn’t winter, yet we had 54,000 patients nationally who were waiting more than 12 hours to be seen by a doctor. That’s completely unacceptable in a health service that claims to be the pinnacle of global healthcare.” | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
6. Huge impact
Dr Layla McCay, from the NHS Confederation, told Sky News: “What healthcare leaders are telling us is that the impact we will see from these particular strikes will affect particularly things like the waiting lists, and the disruption that is being caused this week will be felt all the way into January and beyond.” | Danny Lawson/PA Wire