JUNIOR doctors on strike over pay disputes have spoken out about the financial difficulties they face.

On the picket line at Salisbury District Hospital, British Medical Association (BMA) union members told stories of couch-surfing doctors who are choosing between buying food or clothes.

The union's 72-hour walkout began at 7am on Wednesday, June 14, and it is the third junior doctor strike this year.

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Raiyyan Aftab, 27, graduated and became a CT2 core surgical trainee with the NHS three years ago.

Mr Aftab told the Journal there has been a "significant erosion" in pay over the last 10 years which is now impacting members.

Salisbury Journal: Raiyyan Aftab and Dr Will Phipps on the picket line.Raiyyan Aftab and Dr Will Phipps on the picket line. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Overnight in Salisbury Hospital the most junior doctor could be solely responsible for up to 400 patients and they get paid a wage which equates to £14 an hour, according to Mr Aftab.

“Doctors are skipping meals because they are unable to afford rent payments and food. I have heard of doctors having to couch surf because they can’t afford rent," he added.

The union is demanding a 35 per cent pay rise to make up for the 26 per cent "pay erosion" they have suffered over the last 15 years.

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Dr Will Phipps, a core trainee in anaesthetics, has been a doctor for six years and said he is now "working harder and being paid less".

He said: "It is with a heavy heart that we strike but we see day in, day out the effect that continuous pay erosion has had on our profession.

"That's not just in morale between doctors but with the lack of doctors we have going forward being able to provide a service."

If pay disputes are not resolved by the end of the 72-hour strike, the BMA will be striking again in July.

Members will then strike for a minimum of three days every month until August.