Junior Doctors' Strike Ends, Leaving NHS in Recovery Mode

Over 113,000 Patient Appointments Postponed Amid Calls for 35% Pay Rise

Junior doctors in England have ended a six-day strike, the longest in NHS history, which led to over 113,000 patient operations, appointments and procedures being postponed.
The British Medical Association (BMA), representing the junior doctors, is calling for a 35% pay rise to match rising costs and inflation, a demand the government has stated is 'not affordable, even over several years'.
The strike has reportedly cost hospitals around £1m in lost income and increased costs, with many having to pay consultants more to cover services and a number of patients not treated.
NHS leaders have warned the impact of the strike could last for 'months', with hospitals 'skating on very thin ice' and it will take 'weeks and months' to recover from the six-day stoppage.
Despite the strikes, the NHS managed to treat a record number of patients in a single month, with 1.6 million appointments completed.