Coordinated medical doctors’ strikes will “significantly increase the risk to patients”, the Health Secretary has stated.

Steve Barclay referred to as on the BMA to cease “playing politics and end its strikes immediately” as he warned the mass walkouts are “a step too far”.

He harassed that pay rises coming into power this month – starting from six % to 10.3 % – are “final”.

It comes as well being consultants warned the strikes will pile strain on an NHS already coping with pandemic ranges of additional deaths, with “patients paying the price”.

One advisor accused his putting friends of “acting like God and deciding whether people can live or die”. The motion on September 20, and for 3 days between October 2 and 4, is the primary joint strike between the 2 teams of medics.

Mr Barclay stated: “I’ve been clear that this pay award is final and I urge the BMA to end its callous and calculated strike action – these are only serving to lengthen waiting lists, harm patients and put more pressure on their colleagues.

“I urge the BMA to stop playing politics and end its strikes immediately.”

Junior medical doctors and consultants will present “Christmas Day” cowl through the deliberate industrial motion, which means no elective care and minimal emergency providers.

It is estimated there have been over one million cancelled operations for the reason that medics’ strikes began final winter – costing the NHS an estimated £1billion. Nick Hulme, chief government of the East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Trust, stated: “The strikes are sucking the life out of the NHS.

“The decision to co-ordinate a combined strike is a significant escalation. The doctors know it will have a bigger impact.”

Mr Hulme referred to as for an impartial arbitrator to barter between the BMA and the Government, which he stated had change into caught in an “intransigent” place. Rachel Power, chief government of the Patients Association, agreed and stated: “Millions of patients are suffering and none of them have an influence over industrial action.”

The BMA has secured a brand new mandate for strikes by junior medical doctors till February 2024, as a part of its marketing campaign for a 35 per cent pay rise.

But one senior advisor, who requested to not be named, criticised his colleagues, saying: “The ­doctors are acting like God, deciding whether people can live or die. By striking, they are ­normalising this, which I find astonishing.”