"UK faces healthcare crisis as doctors' strike causes unprecedented disruption"

Tens of thousands of junior doctors in the UK have gone on a four-day strike over pay, causing unprecedented disruption to the National Health Service (NHS). The doctors are striking for pay rises better aligned with inflation, following a three-day strike last month. The NHS Confederation expects up to 350,000 appointments to be cancelled during the strike. The British Medical Association (BMA) wants a 35% pay rise, arguing that members have suffered a 26% real terms cut in pay over 15 years. The BMA has said the strikes could be stopped if health minister Steve Barclay put a credible pay offer forward.