Latest doctors’ strike is ‘irresponsible and dangerous,’ warns Health Secretary Victoria Atkins

HEALTH Secretary Victoria Atkins says the latest doctors’ strike is “irresponsible and dangerous”.

Junior docs are walking out from today until 7am on Tuesday — their 11th strike since March 2023, with 44 work days lost.

Ms Atkins told The Sun’s Never Mind the Ballots she is “very, very angry” at the BMA’s cynical move to walk out while ministers cannot negotiate due to the election.

She said: “I do not understand how the junior doctors’ committee thinks it is responsible to call strikes at this time when they know full well the harm that it presents to patients.

“It feels very wrong.”

NHS chiefs warn patients are at extra risk because of the heatwave.

NHS England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “This new round of strike action will again hit the NHS very hard.

“Warmer weather can lead to additional pressure on services at a time when demand is already high.”

Siva Anandaciva, from The King’s Fund think-tank, added: “The longer industrial action rumbles on, the longer patients will suffer.

“So far, official figures show £1.7 billion has been spent to cover the disruption – this is money that could have been spent on other healthcare challenges.”