ACTIVISTS have warned the NHS will lose their doctors if the government fails to offer them a proper pay rise.

Junior doctors began five days of strike action across England on Wednesday morning following an ongoing pay dispute.

The British Medical Association is leading the longest strike action in NHS history, as they call for a 35 per cent pay rise. 

Helen Field, 69, activist for Keep Our NHS Public joined doctors at the picket line outside Southampton General Hospital on Wednesday.

She told the Echo: “We feel strongly about having a decent and proper health service.

“The government is acting very strangely, as we’re going to lose our doctors if we don’t pay them properly. Many of them are leaving the NHS and moving to the likes of Australia and New Zealand because they get better pay and work in better conditions.”

It's the fourth time junior doctors walk out this year following a 72-hour strike in March, a 96-hour strike in April and a 72-hour strike last month.

Daily Echo:

Helen added: “I think strike action is working because it’s building awareness. Public support has been massive and in the two hours I was on the picket line we had numerous cars tooting their horn as they went by and giving us a thumbs up. The people we’ve had walk past have been happy to chat and show their support.

“It’s like a mini poll that demonstrates support for the doctors, but the government seem to want to sit this one out which really isn’t good for anyone. They should sit round the table and negotiate.”

Glyn Oliver, 68, a retired teacher and secretary of Unite Community Southampton, also joined the picket line during the first day of strike action.

He told the Echo: “The public sector has been hammered in the last 13 years. It’s been starved of funding, particularly the health service.

“At this rate we’ll have nobody left in the health service. Junior doctors deserve to be paid what they deserve.

“I almost feel guilty that they’re having to go on strike because they’re the ones that mend us when we need it, so I feel we should be striking for them.

“The NHS simply needs to be better funded. I sometimes think the government forget it’s our NHS, not the Conservative government’s NHS.”