Overview
- The six-day walkout, set for 7am Tuesday to the morning of Monday, will proceed after talks between the British Medical Association and ministers collapsed.
- The government has withdrawn its offer of 1,000 extra training posts, saying strike planning and an estimated £250 million bill make delivery impossible this year.
- NHS trusts across England expect postponed operations and clinics and longer waits in A&E, and they ask the public to use NHS 111, pharmacies, and other urgent care for non‑emergencies.
- BMA resident doctors chair Dr Jack Fletcher says he is open to meet ministers over Easter but will not suspend action without a better offer than the one rejected.
- NHS chief executive Sir Jim Mackey warned strikes could recur about every four weeks and said the service is accelerating plans that rely less on trainees to keep care running.