Patients At Risk During Docs Strike

NHS chiefs fear they can't get cover

- Martin Bagot

THE NHS may not be able to keep patients safe during next week's four-day strike by junior doctors, hospital leaders warn.

NHS Providers, which represents hospital chief executives, said it will struggle to get enough senior doctors to provide cover straight after a Bank Holiday and during the Easter school break.

NHS chiefs were asked how preparations were going and one said: "I am not confident this time we can maintain patient safety as we will not be able to provide the cover."