SIX-DAY JUNIOR DOCTORS' STRIKE 'ACT OF CRUELTY'

JUNIOR doctors were accused of inflicting "cruelty" on patients as the longest NHS strike began today.

- Sam Lister

The British Medical Association is staging the six-day walkout to back its demand for a 35% pay increase.

The record 144-hour stoppage leaves patients facing a New Year nightmare amid concerns for public safety as more operations are cancelled.

Tory MP Paul a member Bristow, of the Commons Health Select Committee, warned: "Junior doctors can't keep holding the country to ransom. It is an act of cruelty to make patients pay the price for their exorbitant pay demands." The industrial action is due to run until 7am on Tuesday as the NHS deals with high demand due to winter viruses plus a backlog of patients who delayed seeking help over the festive holiday.

It is thought that up to half the medical workforce in hospitals will be out on picket lines.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: "Over 1.2 million have appointments already been rescheduled since industrial action began, including over 88,000 during last month's strikes. The NHS has again put in place robust contingency plans to protect patient safety and it is vital anyone who needs medical help continues to come forward." Ms Atkins added: "January is typically the busiest time of the year for the NHS and these strikes will have a serious impact on patients across the country.

"I urge the BMA Junior Doctors Committee to call off their strikes and come back to the negotiating table so we can find a fair and reasonable solution to end the strikes once and for all." Health chiefs warned that the industrial action risks causing "the most difficult start to the year the NHS has ever faced".

Emergency and urgent treatment will be prioritised during the strikes and almost all routine care will be affected.

It is expected that the disruption caused will result in more than 200,000 cancellations.

This prompted warnings that the action is making it harder to bring down waiting lists and is putting people off seeking care.