Junior doctors’ strike impact to last for ‘months to come’, warns Health Secretary
PROBLEMS caused by the junior doctors’ strike will continue for “months to come”, the Health Secretary has warned.
Victoria Atkins said the impact of the longest walkout in NHS history will be felt well beyond Tuesday’s end.
Militant doctors staged a 72-hour walkout the week before Christmas and are in the middle of a six-day strike in a long-running dispute on pay.
It has seen 1.2million appointments rescheduled — and figures out on Wednesday are expected to show thousands more.
Ms Atkins told The Sun on Sunday: “When strikes like this end, their impact doesn’t finish on the same day.
“The repercussions will be felt for weeks and months to come.
READ MORE ON THE STRIKES
“Thousands of cancelled appointments and operations must be rescheduled and staff who provided cover need to take the rest they deserve.
“Then there’s usual pressures the NHS faces [now].
“I urge the BMA to get back around the table so we can end this dispute.”
The NHS is battling a rise in flu and Covid — an average of 1,312 were in hospital each day last week with flu.
