Sunak said the award was “generous” and higher that all other public sector workers (Image: Getty)

       Rishi Sunak urged junior doctors already awarded the biggest pay rise of all public sector workers to call off their new year strikes.

       The NHS is facing the longest walkout the health service has ever seen when they carry out six days of industrial action from January 3.

       It follows a 72-hour strike that end at 7am on Saturday in their demand for a 35% salary hike.

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       Junior doctors were awarded an 8.8% with the newest to the professions given up to 10.3%.

       Mr Sunak said the award was “generous” and higher that all other public sector workers.

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       He added “Junior doctors are getting a pay rise. They are getting the largest pay rise out of anybody in the public sector.

       “The government accepted in full the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies.

       “We have now reached agreement with everyone else in the NHS … the only workforce that is refusing to settle is the junior doctors, which is really disappointing, particularly at this time of year when everyone relies so heavily on the NHS.

       “We have been consistently constructive and open to talks. I would urge junior doctors to re-engage in those talks and call off strike action.”

       Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, which is part of the NHS Confederation, has written to the British Medical Association (BMA) raising concerns about patient safety ahead of the new year strikes.

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       He warned January “is probably where there is the greatest pressure on services and teams, each and every year”.

       Junior doctors are currently on their second day of a 72-hour strike and will return to work at Mr Mortimer wrote: “In a system already facing enormous demand, it is the week that most teams dread as it is likely to be the busiest for emergency care.

       “Your joint letter with NHS England makes clear that in relation to the December action that the staff recall and derogations process remains largely the same as the previous strikes.

       “This arrangement will not be sustainable in January.

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       “In the previous periods of industrial action taken solely by your junior doctor members, the core duties typically carried out by striking junior doctors have been covered by other medical colleagues and members of the wider team.

       “This position will not be tenable in January.”

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