The NHS is bracing for what the country’s top doctor has warned will be ‘unparalleled levels of disruption’ as doctors stage their second round of strikes this year.
Last month, the NHS national medical director told patients that March’s industrial action would be the ‘biggest strike disruption to date’ as pickets lasted 72 hours. But this Easter weekend, the medical director issued a new statement saying the upcoming 92 hours of action will bring disruption to new heights.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis said he was “very concerned” about the potential severity of the impact on patients, with hospitals facing nearly 100 hours without up to half of their medical workforce. Up to a quarter of a million appointments and operations could be postponed when medics in England walk out in the bitter dispute over pay on Tuesday, straight after the Easter bank holiday weekend, the NHS Confederation said.
