Streeting in last-ditch call to halt strike action

THE Health Secretary has made a last-minute plea to resident doctors to call off their strike - but said the NHS would “do everything we can to keep the show on the road”.

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Wes Streeting is urging members of the British Medical Association (BMA) to scrap their walkout, which is scheduled to last for five days from 7am on Friday, and said doctors have seen an average increase in pay of 28.9%.

Mr Streeting said he would not move further on pay, despite calls from the BMA for a 26% uplift to counter what it says is pay erosion over time.

NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey has written to NHS trust leaders urging them to keep the majority of services operating during the strike and said rescheduling appointments and operations should “only happen in exceptional circumstances”.