Doctors' strike may 'cause staff cuts'

THE NHS may have to cut front-line staff plus appointments and operations for patients if doctors' strikes continue, health leaders have warned.

- JANE KIRBY

As thousands of resident doctors go on strike across England from 7am today in a dispute over pay, the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers, which represent health trusts, said continued action was piling pressure on already-stretched budgets.

The five-day action from today is the 13th walkout by doctors since March 2023, with the last strike in July estimated to have cost the health service £300 million.

NHS Confederation and NHS Providers said that if the NHS continues to have to foot the bill from strikes, it could lead to staff being cut and fewer tests, appointments and operations being carried out.

The knock-on impact on patients is they will be forced to wait longer for care, and many may no longer be able to work without the treatment they need, they said.