NHS boss issues warning as it will be hit by 'one of the most difficult starts to year ever' from tomorrow

An NHS boss has warned that the country's health service could face one of its most difficult starts to the year.

National medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said he believed the service will be "on the backfoot" in January as an unprecedented six-day strike is set to take place. Junior doctors in England will stage a walk out over disagreements with pay on January 3.

The strike is expected to have an impact on almost all routine care, with the NHS prioritising urgent and emergency cases. This is compounded by flu and winter illnesses going strong and rising staff abscesses to due Covid.

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“This January could be one of the most difficult starts to the year the NHS has ever faced," Sir Stephen said. "Six consecutive days of industrial action comes at one of our busiest periods – the action will not only have an enormous impact on planned care, but comes on top of a host of seasonal pressures such as Covid, flu, and staff absences due to sickness – all of which is impacting on how patients flow through hospitals.

“Our colleagues across the health service are doing their very best for patients every day with extensive preparations in place, but there’s no doubt they are starting 2024 on the back foot – not only will action impact next week, it will continue to have a serious impact in the weeks after as we recover services and deal with additional demand.”

Junior doctors will be on strike from 7am on January 3 to 7am on January 9. Overall, it means there will be 144 consecutive hours of industrial action - the longest in the health service's history.

The British Medical Association (BMA) union says it wants junior doctors to