Junior doctors’ strikes

SIR – We have seen encouraging signs of engagement from the Government and unions to resolve differences and avert further industrial action in the NHS (report, March 8). The strikes have already affected tens of thousands of patients and damaged staff morale.

Unfortunately, we are not seeing a similar dialogue with doctors and face an escalation of strike action next week, which will take disruption to the next level. Local NHS leaders are doing all they can to mitigate the impact, but are worried this will pose a risk to the safety of some patients and set back progress on key strategic priorities, including backlog recovery.

As the representative bodies of NHS organisations encompassing trusts and the wider healthcare system, we understand doctors’ frustrations over the way their pay has lagged behind inflation in recent years, while their workloads have increased.

It’s not too late for all sides to realise the harm a strike will do, and redouble efforts to enter negotiations and avoid industrial action. Patients deserve nothing less.

Sir Julian Hartley

Chief executive, NHS Providers

Matthew Taylor

Chief executive, NHS Confederation

Will Warburton

Managing director, Shelford Group