Ahead of the British Medical Association (BMA) junior doctors' three-day strike starting tomorrow (14 June), Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers said:

"Patient safety is the number one priority for trust leaders, but this three-day strike will cause huge disruption to the NHS.

"Trust leaders are doing everything they can to minimise risk, including prioritising emergency and urgent care over some routine appointments and procedures.

"Staff groups including consultants, paramedics, pharmacists and community matrons will be able to support, though there's a worry around finding adequate night cover.

"More than 542,000 appointments have had to be rescheduled due to walkouts since December. This figure will now likely climb in the coming days and weeks – especially if nurses, consultants and radiographers soon vote in favour of industrial action.

"Trust leaders are deeply worried about the fallout from this week's strike as well as the hidden impact of all the appointments not booked in the run-up. Not only does this hamper efforts to bear down on backlogs, but it will likely have a significant knock-on effect on other parts of the health system, including mental health and community services.

"The NHS is still there for patients during the strikes, and people should call 999 in an emergency, but try 111 first for less urgent cases.

"We understand the frustration of junior doctors and other staff groups who've seen their pay fall behind inflation and made the difficult decision to strike, but this can't continue.

"We risk sleepwalking into a summer of strikes if talks don't resume as a matter of urgency. The government and unions must re-open talks without delay."