There is concern that the vital preparation work which should have gone ahead in the past two months has been derailed.
Top figures also fear that millions of pounds provided to strengthen the health service may be used to cover the cost of the strikes.
The BMA has been urged to stop "putting patients in harm's way" and end the strikes.
With winter around the corner and the dispute unresolved, a senior figure in Whitehall warned: "We are going into the skid."
However, the BMA has said it is prepared to "continue striking until the next general election". Junior doctors first went out on strike in March, with consultants starting industrial action in July.
This story is from the October 08, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
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This story is from the October 08, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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