NHS warns of “one of most difficult starts to the year” as junior doctors prepare to strike

Junior doctors in England are about to stage the longest strike in NHS history, just as the health service is under strain because of winter viruses and staff sickness.

They are due to walk out for six days from 7am tomorrow – while junior doctors in Wales will strike for three days from January the 15th.

NHS England’s national medical director has warned that it could be “one of the most difficult starts to the year” the NHS has ever faced.