Thousands of doctors will briefly hang up their scrubs today in a bid to win momentum for stalled government negotiations over pay and conditions.

For the first time in 20 years, doctors across Victoria’s public hospital system will walk off the job for four hours in an escalation of their months-long stoush for better pay and safer workloads.

The work stoppage will take place between 1:30pm and 5:30pm, with a rally scheduled outside Parliament in Melbourne from 3:30pm.

EDs will not be included in the strike and emergency surgeries will go ahead, with hospitals to be staffed above Saturday levels.