As the strike action by resident doctors enters its final day, the NHS has urged the public to come forward for lifesaving and planned care.
This industrial action began at 7 am on Friday, 14 November, and will continue until 7 am on Wednesday, 19 November.
Patients should attend any planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule, the NHS said.
NHS England National Medical Director professor Meghana Pandit said: “We are now into day 5 of this round of industrial action by resident doctors, and hospital staff across the country have been working flat out to maintain as much care as possible for patients – also in the face of Storm Claudia and a severe flu season.
“I want to thank all the staff who are going above and beyond to cover for those who are striking."
Patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal.
For less urgent but serious situations, they can call or text NHS 111 or visit an urgent treatment centre (UTC) to be seen by a clinician.
The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency shows the number of flu and COVID-19 cases in England rising steadily, with its peak expected in the coming weeks.
Talks between health secretary Wes Streeting and the union broke down last week after the British Medical Association (BMA) turned down a fresh offer to end the dispute.
Streeting maintained that he could not negotiate on pay, but he proposed a deal that would see out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees and membership fees covered, along with a boost in speciality training places.
But the BMA has argued that, despite the pay rises, resident doctors' pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, once inflation is taken into account.
This is the 13th round of industrial action by the doctors, 11 of them under the Conservatives, and is one of the longest-running disputes in NHS history.
