NHS chiefs are “extremely concerned” about doctors’ Christmas strikes because they will hit at hospitals’ busiest time of the year.
England’s medical director, Professor Stephen Powis, warned only life-or-death patients can be confident they will be seen quickly.
PAWinter is typically the busiest time of year for the NHS because of cough and flu viruses and cold weather risks to people who are elderly or long-term sick[/caption]
He said: “It is extremely concerning that the health service is set to face another escalation in industrial action.
“It is likely to be another very challenging winter and we will also now prepare for the impact of the latest strikes this Christmas.
“Once more we will prioritise urgent and emergency care to protect patient safety and ensure those in life-saving emergencies can receive the best possible care.”
Junior doctors in the British Medical Association are striking from December 20 to 23, and from January 3 to 9 as they enter the 11th month of their pay row.
Tory MP and member of Parliament’s Health Committee, Paul Bristow, said: “This affects the NHS during its busiest time and will undoubtedly impact patients and could even cost lives.
“The junior doctors should accept the fair deal on the table and get back to helping patients.”
The BMA called the increase offered by the Department of Health “completely insufficient”.
Union leaders want “pay restoration” after years of below-inflation rises, which they say amounts to a lost 26 per cent.
Dr Robert Laurenson, chair of the junior doctors’ committee, said: “All we’re looking for is for that 26 per cent to be restored so we go back to a 0 per cent change from 2008.
“That just looks like a doctor starting on about £21 an hour.
“We are not asking for this all in one go.”
The December strike means many doctors will be missing from A&E units over “Black Eye Friday” — the boozy and violent weekend before Christmas.
And the walkout in January is the longest in NHS history, lasting for six full days.
Sir Julian Hartley, chief of NHS Providers which represents hospital bosses, last night said: “This is what NHS trust leaders were dreading.
“This will be the longest strike in NHS history during the busiest and toughest time of the year. Patients will once again pay the price.”
Ministers say waiting list patients are suffering because strikes are hampering efforts to cut the surgery backlog.
Since the first nurses’ strike last December, more than one million appointments have been cancelled, £1.3billion has been spent on shift cover and half a million more people are on waiting lists.
Latest figures from September show 6.5million people in England alone are waiting for 7.77million operations and treatments.
This was up from 6.05million waiting for 7.19million procedures in November last year, before strikes began.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “It is disappointing that, despite significant progress, the BMA have walked away from negotiations and declared new strikes.
“These will result in more disruption for patients and extra pressure on NHS services and staff as we enter a busy period, risking patient safety.
“I have been clear that I respect the work of doctors in training and want to work with them to settle this dispute.”