HOSPITALS and patients face a hellish new year as junior doctors prepare to walk out for six days — the longest strike on NHS record.
More than 20,000 medics are expected to down tools from 7am tomorrow until the same time on Tuesday, January 9, as they chase a 35 per cent pay rise.
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At least 110,000 consultations, treatments and operations face the chop in the action during what is widely seen as the busiest week of the year.
It comes just ten days since the last strike ended — and with the number of patients in hospital with Covid, flu and norovirus at more than 5,000.
NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said yesterday: “This January could be one of the most difficult the NHS has ever faced.
“Six consecutive days of industrial action come at one of our busiest periods.
“It will have an enormous impact on planned care and comes on top of a host of seasonal pressures.
“We are starting 2024 on the back foot and it will continue to have a serious impact in the weeks after.”
Matthew Taylor, of the NHS Confederation, said: “These days are going to be very damaging to us.
“Parts of the NHS will be skating on very thin ice.”
The Department of Health urged the BMA’s Junior Doctors Committee to call off the walk-out and return to talks to hammer out a pay deal.
It added: “We all need to get back to focusing on patients and their care.”