Ahead of bank holiday strikes by Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members and by other NHS staff in some trusts, Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said:

"Nobody in the NHS wants more strikes ratcheting up already severe pressure on services, including chronic staff shortages.

"Trusts face huge challenges as they work flat out to cut waiting lists and improve waiting times for emergency care in the face of ever-growing demand.

"The shortened RCN strike, due to start on Sunday evening, for the first time includes nursing staff in emergency departments, intensive care and cancer care, posing unprecedented risks and challenges for trust leaders and staff who will pull out all the stops to minimise disruption and keep patients safe.

"The NHS is still there for patients during strikes. People should call 999 in the event of an emergency. For less urgent cases, people should turn first to 111 online or on the 'phone if they can to get help and advice.

"We're about to enter the sixth month in a row of industrial action in the NHS which has seen more than 531,000 appointments rescheduled already – not just in hospitals but across mental health and community services too.

"That number will just keep on rising unless meaningful talks avert any more strikes, as we wait for more unions to reveal how members have voted on the government's pay offer, and a decision to accept or reject by the NHS Staff Council.

"Trust leaders understand why so many overstretched nurses, doctors, paramedics and other NHS staff have chosen to take to the picket lines after years of seeing their pay lag behind inflation. We hope that disputes can be resolved by the government, RCN and others sitting down and finding solutions soon."