NHS will be 'put on back foot' by junior doctors' walkout

THREE days of strikes by junior doctors in England will cause massive problems in the NHS's most difficult period, its top doctor has said.

- Hanna Geissler

Professor Sir Stephen Powis said the walkouts - set to begin at 7am tomorrow come at the worst time with viruses creating havoc for the already stretched health service.

Sir Stephen, national medical director for the NHS in England, warned: "These strikes will cause huge disruption to the NHS with services already feeling the strain of winter pressure.

Demand

"When you factor in the Christmas and New Year break, these strikes will the period of prolong reduced activity.

"And it also puts the health service on the back foot into the new year, which is a time where we see demand start to rise significantly."