LONDON, Dec 20 (AFP) : Hospital doctors in England begin their longest strike action yet on Wednesday in a move that health bosses fear will pile pressure on services at the busiest time of year.
Junior doctors -- those below consultant level -- join picket lines from 0700 GMT to the same time on Saturday in a major escalation of their long-running pay dispute.
Six more days of industrial action are planned from January 3.
The strike comes at one of the busiest times of the year for the state-funded National Health Service (NHS), as it faces increased pressure from seasonal respiratory illnesses.
The strike has drawn criticsm from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and hospital leaders who have described the lengthy walkout as their "worst fears realised".
Hospital doctors in England start new strike over pay
FE Team | Published: December 20, 2023 23:42:34
Hospital doctors in England start new strike over pay
Share if you like