Junior doctors blame health secretary for triggering strikes across England

Steve Barclay accused of wasting months' by failing to meet unions and being dismissive of their demands for improved pay

Junior doctors' leaders have blamed Steve Barclay for triggering their three-day strike this week by ignoring their concerns and being dismissive" of their demands for improved pay.

Hospitals in England functioned effectively on Monday, the first day of the stoppage, with consultants - senior doctors - covering work usually done by junior colleagues. Many thousands of trainee medics refused to work, forcing hospitals to cancel outpatient appointments and operations.