Sandwell Hospital orders striking doctors to work

A hospital has ordered its junior doctors to work as thousands more strike across England. Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich declared a "level 4" incident after a "very high" number of admissions. Medical director Dr Roger Stedman said the hospital had decided to require trainee doctors due on shift to attend as normal during the strike. The British Medical Association (BMA) said its members should continue with industrial action for the time being.

Junior doctors' strike: Live updates

In a statement, it said: "Junior doctors should continue with industrial action until NHS England has confirmed and the BMA has agreed - via the agreed escalation process - that a major unpredictable incident is taking place for a specific Trust. "The BMA will notify members as soon as such an incident is in place."

The hospital is run by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. It comes as the first strike by junior doctors in 40 years is under way in a row over a new contract. About 100 picket lines have been put in place, with a large concentration in and around London. Anne Rainsberry, national incident director for NHS England, said: "The local NHS is actively reviewing the situation to support the Trust. Nationally, we are continuing to work closely with our BMA colleagues to ensure patient safety."

The BBC has seen a letter sent to doctors in training from Dr Stedman dated 11 January which said: "Over the past few days there has been a surge in activity which has continued today.

If this was a major incident the trust has been facing as per the letter 'over the past few days' why wait until now?

Junior doctor

"There are over 50 additional adult beds open with further medical outliers in surgery.

"There have not been enough discharges today to accommodate patients requiring admission.

"Tomorrow we will be running Sandwell General Hospital site as a Trust internal incident with all medical teams working to increase the numbers of discharges.

"I have reviewed the situation this afternoon and I believe that given the situation and staffing levels, it would be unsafe to deliver care to all our in-patients with a reduced workforce tomorrow."