NHS strikes: Services under pressure as junior doctors begin longest ever strike action

The British Medical Association has tonight accused NHS managers of failing to plan properly and protect patients during its members’ six day walkout – saying the scheme used to call doctors off the picket line and into work if there’s an emergency is at risk of collapse.

Tens of thousands of junior doctors in England have joined the unprecedented strike action – with hospitals reporting “significant demand” for services – with one NHS trust describing 11 hour waits at A&E.