Looming strikes by junior doctors 'will put patients at risk'

NHS BOSSES ISSUE 'SERIOUS' WARNING AS PAY DISPUTE CONTINUES

- GWYN WRIGHT

SIX days of strikes by junior doctors in England later this month will put patients at "serious risk", NHS leaders have said.

The NHS Confederation issued the warning as it reiterated its call for the walkouts to be called off.

It said the industrial action will leave hospitals, GP surgeries and other services "skating on very thin ice" and in a "highly vulnerable position" because it coincides with what is traditionally the busiest week of year for the NHS.

Flu and winter illnesses, combined with rising staff absences due to coronavirus, could add more pressure to services that will already be stretched by the strike.

The Government and British Medical Association (BMA) union must resume talks so a lasting compromise can be found "for the sake of the patients", the confederation added.