Doctor strikes challenging, hospital boss warns

Junior doctors have walked out from hospitals across the country, including the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford

This week's junior doctor strikes are "very challenging" for hospitals, an NHS boss has warned.

Junior doctors in England began a six-day walk out at 07:00 GMT on Wednesday in a dispute over pay.

Sara Randall, chief operating officer at Oxford University Hospitals, said it was "highly likely" waiting times for care would be longer, especially for people whose condition is "less serious".

The trust said it was prioritising care for people "with the highest clinical needs" including cancer patients and people who have already waited a long time for treatment.

The action will be the longest consecutive strike in NHS history, and comes at one of the busiest times for patient care.

"This industrial action is going to be very challenging for us because the beginning of January is always a particularly busy time for the NHS," said Ms Randall.

She urged the public to treat NHS staff with respect during the strike.

"Our staff are working extremely hard during a very challenging time," she said.

"There is never any excuse for aggressive or abusive behaviour."

Pay talks between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA) broke down last month.

The BMA said it had been "forced" into striking because it had not received a "credible" pay offer from the government.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said junior doctors should call off their strike and "come back to the negotiating table so we can find a fair and reasonable solution to end the strikes once and for all".