NHS consultants’ strike could cause even ‘more delays’ than doctors’ action

Postponement of even more treatment in England will put Rishi Sunak's pledge to cut waiting lists in peril, say unions

A walkout by the NHS's most senior clinicians is expected to lead to even more care postponements than the 49,000 a day caused by the junior doctors' strike, NHS bosses fear.

Strikes this week by hospital consultants are expected to further imperil Rishi Sunak's vow to bring down waiting lists. Senior NHS figures are also concerned that the prime minister's refusal to hold further pay talks with consultants could poison relations for years to come, leading to a crisis in morale and further disputes.