My door is open but contingency plans must be made – Health Secretary

The Health Secretary has insisted his “door is open” to resume talks with health unions to avert unprecedented strike action in the NHS as he warned “there will be impacts on patients if the strikes go ahead”. Steve Barclay said he is “very happy to continue dialogue” with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). It comes amid reports that armed forces personnel could drive ambulances and stand in for frontline hospital roles under contingency plans ahead of strikes by a range of different NHS workers. Mr Barclay said he has not formally contacted the military about stepping in to assist the NHS during walkouts.