What’s the story behind the four-day hospital consultants’ strike?

This week, unprecedented action by senior doctors has caused significant disruption to services across the NHS. Sean O’Grady examines the causes and effects

A further strike is scheduled to take place on 24 and 25 August (PA)

Hospital consultants in England are in the middle of their most serious industrial action in the history of the National Health Service, a 96-hour stoppage. During this time, NHS wards, operating theatres and clinics are functioning at the level of service usually seen on Christmas Day.

Most outpatient appointments and elective surgeries, such as hip and knee replacements and cataract removals, are postponed, perhaps for months. Emergency treatment seems still to be available, but urgent care won’t be. Inevitably, and even with goodwill and the best efforts of all those involved, this must harm the health of some patients.

The public is still being told to dial 999 in life-threatening emergencies, and to use NHS 111 and the NHS website for everything else. Ambulance services and pharmacies are operating as normal, and the junior doctors and nurses are back at work. However, there are no staff that are able to cover for consultant doctors or surgeons.