More than 60,000 NHS appointments, including many for cancer patients, were scrapped in just five days of industrial action last year, new figures reveal, as the Health Secretary urges doctors to reconsider further strike plans.

The data, seen by GB News, exposes the devastating scale of disruption caused by the July 2024 walkout, during which 63,813 NHS appointments and procedures were cancelled.

Most of these included biopsies, blood tests and X-rays essential for the early diagnosis of potentially fatal conditions like cancer.

Last night, senior sources close to the Health Secretary warned that the same damaging delays and cancellations could be repeated, or even exceeded, if more strikes go ahead.

The June–July industrial action by the British Medical Association’s resident doctors (formerly junior doctors) also triggered a surge in costs for locums and consultants, many of whom were paid premium rates to cover out-of-hours shifts.

“These strikes are disastrous,” said Professor Carl Heneghan, a leading clinical epidemiologist and urgent care GP at Oxford University.

“Intertwined in these figures are cancellations for some of the most serious conditions, such as cancer. A delayed test could mean the disease spreads and becomes more deadly.

“Doctors have a duty to ensure patients do not suffer because of their decisions. This crisis is forcing desperate people to pay for care, and some are being left behind altogether.”

His concerns are backed by a landmark BMJ study, which found that a four-week delay in cancer treatment increases the risk of death by around 10 per cent, with even shorter delays shown to reduce survival chances.

Junior doctors on strike last year caused the cancellation of 60,000 appointments

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has ruled out meeting the BMA’s demand for a 29 per cent pay rise, on top of the 22 per cent increase already granted last year. But the union says strike action will continue unless the Government agrees to restore pay to 2008 levels in real terms.

Meanwhile, public support is waning. Just 39 per cent back doctor strikes, down from 52 per cent last summer, according to YouGov polling.

“This isn’t just about waiting a bit longer for care,” warned one senior NHS consultant.

“These are cancer checks, heart tests, mental health reviews. For some people, a delayed diagnosis is a death sentence.”

Co-National Medical Director for NHS England, Meghana Pandit, told GB News: “We know from last year’s experience that industrial action comes at a very real cost to patients, and to the wider workforce, in terms of cancelled appointments and longer working hours to cover rotas.

“While it is of course the right of resident doctors to take such action, it should always be a last resort. Staff and patients rightly expect everyone to do all they can to avoid disruption.”

Most of the cancelled appointments included biopsies, blood tests and X-rays

The new NHS England figures show:
Midlands: 8,111 appointments cancelled
North West: 8,943 lost
South East: 7,972 cancelled
Cities including Manchester, Leeds, Oxford and Liverpool were among the hardest hit.

“NHS insiders stress these are not just numbers on a spreadsheet — each one represents a real patient left in pain or worry,” said a source.

One senior NHS adviser warned: “Strikes will undoubtedly worsen the 7.4 million-strong waiting list.

“We will end up with people dying unnecessarily, and others forced to live longer with hip pain, disability, disease, or needing vital operations like cataract surgery.

“Many are nearing the end of their lives and will be left immobile, in pain, or blind.”

One senior NHS adviser warned: 'Strikes will undoubtedly worsen the 7.4 million-strong waiting list'

Yet despite the disruption, the NHS has begun to turn a corner. Since Labour entered office, waiting lists have fallen by more than 200,000 — five times faster than the same period last year.

Ministers credit £26billion in extra funding and staff cooperation for delivering over 3.6 million extra appointments.

Streeting has taken a firm line, refusing to meet the BMA’s pay demands, citing the average 29 per cent rise already awarded to junior doctors since 2022, including the most recent 5.4 per cent increase — the highest public sector award this year.

Government insiders say BMA leaders initially praised the deal as “generous” and are now being urged to honour that agreement.

Streeting said: “We won’t cave to unrealistic demands that take us backwards. Patients have waited long enough. They don’t want to see more cancelled ops and delays to treatment just as the NHS begins to recover.”

A Department of Health spokesman added: “This Government wants to work with resident doctors to deliver the reforms the NHS is crying out for.

“But that means putting patients first.”

Government insiders say BMA leaders initially praised the deal as 'generous'

Meanwhile, more people are turning to private care.

New data reveals a record 7.6 million adults in the UK now hold private medical insurance (PMI) — up from 6.7 million in 2020.

Nearly one in five adults aged 35–54 now have private cover. Healthcare cash plans, including for dental treatment, have also surged from 4 million to 5.1 million holders in four years.

BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs, Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, said: “Patients are all too aware how much the NHS relies on its resident doctors. With the announcement of last week's ballot, many will understandably be concerned about how future strike action might affect their care.

“But it’s important to stress that strike action is not inevitable. The Government has the power to honour its promise to restore pay, avoiding strikes altogether.

“Wes Streeting must now step forward with a solution that allows us to stay with our patients, off the picket lines, and remain in the UK — rather than being driven abroad where doctors’ expertise is better valued.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting told GB News: “Strikes are the last thing the NHS needs right now, the last thing Resident Doctors need, and certainly the last thing that patients need.

“Strike action should always be a last resort. So I'd say to the BMA - the Government's changed and the policies have changed. Your tactics need to change now. Work with us. There's no need for strikes.”