Ministers urged to resolve NHS strikes that could cost ‘billions’

Exclusive: NHS Confederation boss says some trusts are losing £500,000 every day that strikes over pay continue in England

The cost of the NHS strike action is “eye-watering” and could run into billions of pounds, a health boss has said as he urged ministers to resolve the row over pay.

Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents the healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, told the Guardian that some NHS trusts were losing £500,000 for every day of industrial action.