MEMBERS of the public showed their support for junior doctors as strike action moved to the town centre this afternoon.

Groups of junior doctors from the Great Western Hospital took to the high street to give town centre shoppers the opportunity to find out more about their motivations to strike.

The medics waved placards and gave shoppers the chance to pose for a #NHSselfie to show their solidarity with striking junior doctors.

Junior doctors also gathered 300 signatures in two hours for a petition supporting their strike action.

Christopher Peet, a foundation year one doctor who hopes to specialise in elderly care, said the Meet The Doctors session was about dispelling myths around the profession.

“It was important for us to be there for the public and show that some of the information they have been given about us is misleading. This all comes down to patient safety, we haven’t done this for selfish reasons. We had to do this.

“The response we have received from people has been overwhelmingly positive, people can see why we’re doing this and helps to know we have that support. The government has left us no alternative, that is why we are here today.”

Dr Charis Banks said the session gave members of the public a unique insight into the strike.

“People can ask us questions and find out more about what we’re doing here. We know we’ve helped people because we see them in hospital but to see them coming out in support of us here is always amazing to see. It makes you feel good to have that kind of endorsement from the people you have helped,” she said.

“Ordinarily you would only get the chance to speak with people when they are receiving care so this is good in a different way because we can explain precisely why we are doing this.”

Josie Lewis, a council worker from Gorse Hill was among scores of shoppers who signed the petition. She said more respect needed to be given to preserve the tireless work of junior doctors

“I am a regular patient at the eye clinic at the Great Western Hospital and the level of care I have received there has always been exceptional,” she said.

“There needs to be more support and consideration for junior doctors. They are a valuable resource and they are being over-worked and underpaid. That’s why I felt the need to sign the petition today.”