HEREFORD Medical Group has said it is expecting a "very challenging" week as 12 of its doctors walk out in a row over pay.

Junior doctors across the country and in a pay dispute with the Government and are calling for a pay rise of 35 per cent.

But it means at Hereford Medical Group, which runs surgeries including Station Medical Centre and Quay House Medical Centre, 12 of its doctors won't be working during the four days of action, which started on Tuesday.

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"Please be aware that we are expecting this week to be extremely challenging due to the impact of the industrial action by junior doctors," a spokesperson told patients, adding it had 12 postgraduate doctors in training working at the group.

"We would ask all patients to consider carefully whether they need to be seen urgently this week.

"We will continue to offer appointments on the day for patients who need to be seen that day, but these will be more limited this week and so if your problem is not urgent, then please consider completing our online triage form which will be assessed by a GP and an advice or an appointment offered as appropriate."

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They said advice would be available from NHS 111 and community pharmacies could also offer advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses.

The strikes centre around a pay row between the BMA and Government, with the union claiming junior doctors in England have seen a 26 per cent real-terms pay cut since 2008/09 because pay rises have been below inflation.

The union has asked for a full pay restoration that the Government said would amount to a 35 per cent pay rise – which ministers have said is unaffordable.