A number of hospitals call on junior doctors to return to work
A number of hospitals have called on striking junior doctors to return to work due to patient safety concerns, during the longest walkout in NHS history.
Services across England are facing “significant demand” on the first day of a six-day walkout by junior doctors, health leaders have said.
One hospital has declared a critical incident while others reported significant waits in A&E departments – with one hospital saying patients may need to wait “up to 11 hours”.
A number of hospitals have submitted so-called derogation requests, calling on doctors to return to work.
It is understood that just over 20 requests have been made by hospitals, but some may have submitted more than one request.
The (BMA) said that the derogation process was being “undermined” by the health service, with a number of the requests being submitted well in advance of
