Junior doctors get ready for longest strike in NHS history when the service 'at its most stretched'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukJunior doctors in England are to stage the longest strike in NHS history at a time when the service is at its “most stretched”, an expert has said, while one NHS leader has said "this January could be one of the most difficult starts to the year the NHS has ever faced".
Medics are set to walk out for six days in a major escalation in the bitter row with the government over pay. The industrial action, from 7am on Wednesday January 3 to 7am on Tuesday January 9, comes at one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS as it grapples with increased pressure from winter viruses and a rise in people coming forward who delayed seeking help over the holidays.
The NHS has warned that the strike action, which could see up to half of the medical workforce on picket lines, could cause “the most difficult start to the year the NHS has ever faced”.
It said emergency and urgent care will be prioritised during the strikes and almost all routine care will be affected. But patients are being urged to still come forward to seek care if they need it. Try MEN Premium now with our amazing New Year offer...
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk