LIVE: Doctors go on strike for second day as hospital bosses raise concerns about keeping patients safe

Doctors are heading out on strike for the second day of a four-day walkout.

Hospital bosses have expressed concern about keeping patients safe as they struggle to secure cover for overnight junior doctor shifts during the ongoing industrial action.

NHS Providers warned that the 92-hour junior doctor walkout will cause a “very long, difficult week” for the health service. The health service’s top doctor warned that the situation will “become more challenging”.

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NHS England’s national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “Staff are working incredibly hard during this unprecedented period of industrial action, and we expect the situation to become more challenging each day this strike progresses.

“As the week goes on, we expect to see staff cover stretched as those who worked tirelessly over the Easter holiday take leave, which will pose a huge challenge to an already depleted workforce.”

Last weekend, Professor Powis said he was “very concerned” about the potential severity of the impact on patients, with hospitals facing nearly 100 hours without up to half of their medical workforce. Up to a quarter of a million appointments and operations could be postponed, the NHS Confederation said.

The disruption could last up to 10 or 11 days, leaders fear, with strike set between the Easter bank holiday and another weekend. The 92-hour period will run from 6.59am on Tuesday until 6.59am on Saturday April 15.

The majority of hospitals in Greater Manchester will see pickets are, including:

Wigan Infirmary

Trafford General Hospital

Royal Bolton Hospital

Fairfield General

Royal Oldham Hospital

Manchester Royal Infirmary

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