Doctors strike 'will force 8m on to the NHS's waiting list

THE NHS waiting list will hit eight million by winter if the doctors' strikes aren't resolved, experts say.

- Lucy Johnston

 

On Thursday, junior doctors began their longest strike action in history five consecutive days.

This will be followed by the first walkout by consultants in more than a decade, on Thursday and Friday.

The strikes over pay come as a new analysis shows that up to one in four patients classed as emergencies are waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted to hospital after a decision is made - a potentially deadly delay.

The longest waits were in Gloucester, with 28 per cent of patients waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted. This was followed by South West London (20 per cent), NHS North Central London (18 per Lincolnshire (16 per cent) and Northamptonshire (15 per cent).

The figures - the latest available - related to May and were analysed by law firm Patient Claim Line.