Appointments cancelled due to NHS strikes passes ‘grim’ one million milestone

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of appointments and procedures cancelled due to NHS strikes has passed the “grim” one million milestone, with health leaders now warning winter could be “really tough”. Regrettably, the BMA is threatening to escalate strike action again next month, which would mean the number of cancellations rising further and adding to the pressures on health services as we head into winter Health Secretary Steve Barclay Commenting on the latest figures, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Today marks the grim milestone of over one million appointments cancelled as a result of strikes, with co-ordinated and calculated industrial action by the BMA creating further disruption and misery for patients and NHS colleagues. “My door is always open to discuss how we can work together with NHS staff to improve their working lives, but this pay award is final so I urge unions to end this damaging disruption.” The longer the Government buries its head in the sand, the more both strikes and waiting lists cost the public purse Prof Philip Banfield BMA council chairman Professor Phil Banfield said: “As NHS doctors, we have spent a great deal of the last 10 years apologising to our patients for waiting lists and cancelled appointments as the NHS struggles to keep up with increasing demand and the effects of underinvestment when judged against comparable nations. “We will continue to prioritise emergency care and patient safety and as ever, people should continue to access the care they need – A&E and 999 in life-threatening emergencies and NHS 111 online for other health concerns.” Rory Deighton, director of the acute network at the NHS Confederation, said: “We knew that this first ever joint strike action would create a high risk to patients as well as a higher number of appointments and operations being cancelled.