NHS leaders urged not to cancel operations during strikes in March

Exclusive: NHS England director calls on managers to do everything possible to maintain elective care for patients

An NHS England director has urged regional leaders to do their best not to cancel hospital appointments and operations when NHS workers go on strike next month, in the hope of reducing the risk to patients' safety.

For the first time, tens of thousands of nurses in cancer wards, A&E departments and intensive care units in England will stop work for 48 hours from 1 March - marking a significant escalation in the dispute over pay and working conditions.