NHS braces for strike disruption

THE NHS is bracing for a difficult few days as almost half of the medical workforce in England are set to go on strike during one of the busiest periods of the year.

Junior doctors are to take to picket lines from 7am today to 7am on December 23, in a major escalation in the bitter dispute over pay.

Hospitals leaders have described the walkouts as their "worst fears realised" as they grapple with a rising number of people needing help with winter viruses, particularly norovirus.

In the run-up to the strikes, NHS England urged hospitals to try to see time-critical patients before the walkout and to try to reduce bed occupancy.