The Prime Minister has been urged to reopen talks on pay by NHS leaders who now admit there's 'deep worry' patients cannot be kept safe during strikes.
In a last-minute intervention on the eve of a 24-hour ambulance service walk-out tomorrow, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents most NHS organisations, has written to Rishi Sunak requesting an end to the deadlock with unions.
In a letter to the PM as nurses went on strike today, Mr Taylor said: "This is not something NHS leaders would ever say lightly, but many now tell us that they cannot guarantee patient safety tomorrow [Wednesday]. On health grounds alone, it is clear we have entered dangerous territory." He urged the Prime Minister to end the Government's dispute with the unions quickly, asking Mr Sunak to 'be prepared to negotiate on the substantive issue of pay awards'.
