More patients will be affected by action, say NHS chiefs

MORE patients are "likely to feel the impact" of strike action by resident doctors in England as hospitals deal with record flu cases during the five-day walkout, officials have said.

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Hospitals have been told to aim to deliver 95% of usual activity during the strike, though health leaders have conceded this could be "more challenging due to the onset of winter pressures and rising flu".

Health bosses have urged patients to come forward as usual but warned that some appointments will "inevitably" need to be rescheduled.

NHS England also urged eligible people to get their flu vaccine to help ward off cases.

Up to half of the medical workforce in England could stop work at 7am on Wednesday and not return for five days as resident doctors stage industrial action over pay and jobs.

Hopes that the strike could be averted at the last minute were dashed on Monday when members of the British Medical Association (BMA) rejected a fresh offer from the Government.