DOCTORS go on strike again today in a “catastrophic” walkout that will put patients in danger.
Brits have been urged to “avoid risky behaviour” as around 30,000 junior doctors from the British Medical Association down tools until Saturday in a pay row.
Health chiefs warn it will be the worst strike in NHS history, with wards and clinics dangerously short-staffed and 350,000 appointments and operations facing cancellation.
Some hospitals have postponed three quarters of planned work to cover emergencies and life-saving care – meaning efforts to clear the backlog are on ice.
Matthew Taylor, of the NHS Confederation, said: “These strikes are going to have a catastrophic impact on the capacity of the NHS to recover services.
“There's no point hiding the fact that there will be risks to patient safety and patient dignity.
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“Obviously if you have a medical emergency you need to call 999, but if you have a concern then there's 111, there's the NHS website – try to use the NHS in the most responsible way you can.
“Try to avoid risky behaviour, because the NHS is not going to be able to provide the level of care that we want to provide.”
In the last strike, in March, an average 28,708 staff were off and 60,350 appointments were postponed on each of the three days.
Miriam Deakin, from NHS Providers, said bosses are “deeply worried” and the NHS gets especially busy after the Easter bank holidays.
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She added: “Not only do we expect to see thousands of appointments rescheduled, leaders are talking about the extreme pressure that we might see on critical and life-preserving services.”
Epsom and St Helier Hospitals in Surrey said it expects “major disruption”.
Kingston Hospital in London said 75 per cent of outpatient appointments have been postponed and A&E will be “particularly busy” and prioritising the sickest patients.
University Hospitals Southampton said: “Please only visit the emergency department if your situation is life or limb threatening.”
Some GPs will be slashing appointment numbers due to a lack of medical staff, with pharmacists drafted in to help with minor conditions.
As patients suffer, ministers and the British Medical Association are still at loggerheads over pay.
The BMA wants a 35 per cent boost to “restore” junior doctors’ salaries, which range from £29,000 to £58,000.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay called the demand “unreasonable”.
He said: “This would result in some junior doctors receiving a pay rise of over £20,000.
“If the BMA is willing to move significantly from this position and cancel strikes we can resume confidential talks and find a way forward, as we have done with other unions.”
The BMA launched a new campaign pointing out that doctors may receive as little as £14.09 for working on a “highly skilled” appendix removal operation.
Dr Vivek Trivedi, a junior doctors’ leader in the union, said: “We don’t want to have to go on strike, we want to be able to sort this out reasonably.
“All Mr Barclay has to do is put a credible offer on the table which shows he is serious about addressing the more than 26 per cent real-terms pay cut that doctors have endured.”
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Mr Barclay added: “It is extremely disappointing the BMA has called strike action for four consecutive days.
“Not only will the walkouts risk patient safety, but they have also been timed to maximise disruption after the Easter break.”
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