Striking medic says 'We need more docs'

WALK-OUT AS HEALTH CHIEFS WARN OF 'WORST TIME’ FOR NHS

- By ELEANOR BARLOW ECHO Correspondent

DOCTORS in Liverpool were among medics across England who started a five-day strike yesterday in an ongoing row over jobs and pay.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government did “everything we could” to avoid the strike, including holding 11th-hour talks with British Medical Association officials on Tuesday.

He warned patients will face disruption as the walkout comes at the “worst time” for the NHS.

The strike will run until 7am on December 22. Hospitals are currently dealing with rising flu cases and other winter illnesses.

The BMA is calling for a 26% pay uplift to restore resident doctors’ earnings, which they argue have been significantly eroded by inflation.