Industrial action will cause "hugely frustrating" delays for patients

Responding to a warning by NHS England that hot weather and the World Cup could add to pressures posed by resident doctors' industrial action in the coming week, the chief executive of The NHS Alliance, Sir Ciarán Devane, said:

"Local NHS leaders have become all-too familiar with dealing with industrial action stemming from this long and damaging dispute.

"Yet again, every effort will be made during next week’s walkout to minimise disruption to patients, despite potential additional pressures as a result of the weather and the football. 

"But there will be some knock-on delays to care which will be hugely frustrating for those affected. 

"And for every stoppage there is a very significant hit to NHS finances.

"Even at this late stage we urge both sides, the government and the BMA, to get together and resolve this dispute once and for all.”