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.
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