An NHS England spokesperson said:

“In the light of the junior doctors industrial action ballot result, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, National Medical Director of NHS England, has today written to the BMA seeking formal assurances that no action will be taken that will endanger patient safety and urgent and emergency care.

“NHS hospitals and other services are drawing up contingency plans, but given the potential risks to patients, the right answer is instead for negotiations to resume between the junior doctors and NHS employers”.

See the letter that Bruce Keogh has today written to Mark Porter, Chair of BMA.