Junior doctors’ leaders warn of more strikes unless ministers make new offer

Row breaks out on first day of NHS's longest ever stoppage as requests to return to work rejected

Junior doctors' leaders have said they are prepared to stage yet more strikes after the longest stoppage in NHS history, as health leaders warned that this week's action alone could cripple the health service until spring.

On Wednesday night, at the end of the first of six days of strike action, Prof Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said its impact would be felt for weeks and months" as tens of thousands of appointments and operations were ditched and will have to be rescheduled.