Commenting on the latest exchanges between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA), and the arrangements to handle a major incident during forthcoming industrial action, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Sir Julian Hartley, said:

"It is deeply disappointing that even at this late stage there is no real prospect of meaningful talks between the government and BMA to avert the forthcoming industrial action.

"This is a setback for the NHS.

"The people who will suffer will be patients facing yet more disruption, and staff whose morale will take a further hit.

"It is good to see that plans are now in place to handle a major incident. The public would expect nothing less.

"But for trust leaders the preparations for strikes are a major and unwelcome distraction from the pressing need to address the NHS' big strategic challenges, including recovering backlogs."