NHS bosses are putting patients at risk of harm in the upcoming doctors' strike, the British Medical Association says. The union believes NHS England's plan to limit the number of routine treatments being cancelled will stretch senior doctors covering for striking resident doctors too thinly.

Deputy chairwoman Emma Runswick says a push to maintain scheduled care could cause harm in emergency departments.

The BMA is warning NHS England that its change in approach to planning for this week’s resident doctors strikes will risk patient safety for both those seeking routine and emergency treatment.