Responding to health and social care secretary Steve Barclay's speech at NHS ConfedExpo, Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive at NHS Providers said:

"The health and social care secretary was right to focus on the progress NHS trusts leaders and their teams have made in tackling the longest waits for care, alongside the importance of greater choice for patients, investing in new technology in the NHS and greater support for mental health patients.

"But as junior doctors walk out for a second day – as nurses, radiographers and consultants ballot for strike action – the absence of any mention in his speech about measures to resolve ongoing industrial action was the elephant in the room.

"More than half a million appointments and procedures have been postponed due to strikes since December, and that figure is expected to rise by tens of thousands this week.

"It's vital the government and unions restart negotiations urgently so we can end this disruption and focus on treating patients."