Doctor strike ‘deliberately timed to cause havoc’, NHS boss says

Doctor strike ‘deliberately timed to cause havoc’, NHS boss saysNHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey slams the British Medical Association as health leaders urge patients to still come forward for careCommentsNewsMartin Bagot Health and Science Editor11:31, 08 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesSir Jim has spoken out about the timing of the doctors' strike(Image: PA)The boss of the NHS says the doctors’ strike “has been deliberately timed to cause havoc”.‌It comes as NHS England is urging patients to still come forward to hospitals and GPs if they need care, amid fears some seriously unwell will delay getting help. Its chief executive Sir Jim Mackey told health leaders that hospitals were in "as good a place as we could hope" after the first day of the walkout.‌More recent strikes since Sir Jim took charge of the NHS have seen the health service manage to still carry out 95% of planned appointments, but this six-day walkout comes during the Easter school holidays when many staff will have booked annual leave.‌View 3 ImagesSir Jim wrote to hospital bosses after the first day of the strike(Image: PA)READ MORE: Junior doctors begin 6-day strike as row over £3bn cost escalates with Wes StreetingREAD MORE: Doctors’ strikes have now cost the NHS £3bn - here's why they're holding out for better dealSir Jim wrote a letter to hospital leaders on Tuesday evening which said: "I know today has been tough for staff picking up the strain across the country - and how disruptive and challenging it's been for many hospitals to manage it and fill their rotas following the Easter weekend."We cannot forget this action has been deliberately timed to cause havoc. There's a long way to go, but it looks like we're in as good a place as we could hope on day one.‌"I am so grateful to everyone for all you've done ahead of today, during today and what you will be doing over the next five plus days to contend with these pressures, maintain ser...