How will the junior doctor strikes affect the NHS?

One of the most significant NHS strikes begins today (13 March), with thousands of junior doctors set to stop all work, including nights, on-call shifts, and non-resident work, for 72 hours. The strikes come following one of the largest turnouts for a ballot of doctors ever seen. In total, 37,000 out of 47,600 junior doctors voted in the latest ballot, with 98% voting in favour of strike action. The industrial action is expected to be “hugely disruptive”, with thousands of non-urgent procedures, checks and other appointments cancelled or postponed. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said the “sheer