Junior doctors are escalating strike action planned for next month and will stage a full walk-out for the first time.

The British Medical Association said an all-out stoppage would take place in which emergency care was not provided.

The previous three strikes have left emergency cover in place and the latest strike, scheduled for 08:00 to 17:00 on 26 and 27 April, represents the first time doctors have refused to provide emergency care.

Doctors are striking over Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s plan to impose a new contract on them.

The medics say the changes will incentivise unsafe shift patterns, putting patients’ safety and lives and risk. The Health Secretary says the change will help deliver better care at weekends.

The changes are neutral in spending terms.

Repeated polling show the public tend to back doctors in the dispute and blame the Government.

BMA junior doctor leader Dr Johann Malawana said doctors wanted the dispute to be brought to an end.

“No junior doctor wants to take this action but the government has left us with no choice.

“In refusing to lift imposition and listen to junior doctors' outstanding concerns, the government will bear direct responsibility for the first full walkout of doctors in this country.

Jeremy Hunt has been heavily criticised by doctors (PA)

“The government is refusing to get back around the table and is ploughing ahead with plans to impose a contract junior doctors have no confidence in and have roundly rejected.

“We want to end this dispute through talks but the government is making this impossible.

In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 20,000 Junior Doctors marched through central London in protest at the new contract changes the government is trying to impose which they say will be unfair and unsafe In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors protest in London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 4 year old Cassius takes part in a demonstration in Westminster, in support of junior doctors over changes to NHS contracts, London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Protest over proposed changes to junior doctors' contracts, Leeds In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Over 5000 junior doctors rallied in Waterloo place, before marching through Whitehall and onto Parliament Square, in opposition to Jeremy Hunt's new working conditions for doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Demonstrators listen to speeches in Waterloo Place during the 'Let's Save the NHS' rally and protest march by junior doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors marched in London to highlight their plight In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK A protester at a demonstration in support of junior doctors in London

The Government said the move was “both desparate and irresponsible”.

Anna Quigley, head of health research at pollsters Ipsos MORI, said doctors were taking a risk by extending strike action to emergency cover.

“Each step of the way with these strikes, we’ve taken the pulse of public opinion and found the majority of people support the Junior Doctors even as the action has rolled on from month to month with little hope of swift resolution. However, if emergency care is not provided during strikes the public is much less likely to support them," she said.