Health chiefs say emergency care for patients will not be affected by industrial action taken today and tomorrow by junior doctors.

The trust running Medway Maritime Hospital, in Gillingham, says the strike will mean about 800 outpatient appointments and about 30 non-emergency operations have had to be rescheduled.

It is the first full-walkout of junior doctors in the history of the NHS.

More than 2,500 consultants, GPs and senior doctors have signed a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in support of their junior colleagues, offering assurances patients will be kept safe.

The action comes amid a row over new terms and conditions that resulted in Mr Hunt threatening to impose the new contract on trainee medics as part of his vision for a seven-day NHS.

Omar Husain, a junior doctor who was out on the picket line, said: "We're striking against a contract which we feel will be dangerous for doctors and patients in the future.

"We're out here while consultants are covering us inside - they are doing all the work we would be doing.

"We don't know much about the contract we have just been told things about it - like the longer hours which will be dangerous for patients."

Green Party MEP for the south east Keith Taylor said: “ Jeremy Hunt must surely want to avert strike action so that all doctors can be on hand to do what they do best.

“The government is playing with fire with its bullying.”

Margaret Dalziel, director of clinical operations at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We respect the right of our junior doctors to take part.

“Our top priority, as always, is to ensure patients continue to receive safe and compassionate treatment during this period.

“We immediately set about putting in place contingency plans with our commissioners and local partners to ensure ... the safe provision of services.

“Given the unique and unprecedented nature of these strikes, a number of our medical consultants and senior nursing staff will be deployed to the wards and emergency department during the industrial action.

“We’re very fortunate to have this level of experience and expertise at our disposal to help deliver safe care to patients.

“It is important to remind patients in less urgent need of care they might experience longer waiting times."

A South East Coast Ambulance (Secamb) spokesman said: “Secamb is asking the public to, as always, think carefully about calling 999 during this week’s planned period of industrial action by junior doctors.

"It is difficult to say how substantial the impact will be on our service but we have robust plans in place and will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure that we minimise the impact on patients.

“We will be looking to make best use of our clinicians in our control centres to advise patients, working with our healthcare partners in the community to delay, where appropriate, the transfer of patients to hospital and where possible seek alternative pathways such as minor injuries units as and when necessary.”

• If patients have a minor injury or illness and they’re not sure where to go for treatment, they are advised to call NHS111 for advice or their local GP.