An NHS leader has urged the Government and junior doctors' unions to call in the Acas conciliation service to end their stalemate and avoid "catastrophic" strikes.On the eve of what is set to be the most disruptive walkout in NHS history, chief executive of the NHS Confederation Matthew Taylor has said the likely impact is "heartbreaking" and called on both sides to end their "battle of rhetoric".

An NHS leader has urged the Government and junior doctors' unions to call in the Acas conciliation service to end their stalemate and avoid "catastrophic" strikes.On the eve of what is set to be the most disruptive walkout in NHS history, chief executive of the NHS Confederation Matthew Taylor has said the likely impact is "heartbreaking" and called on both sides to end their "battle of rhetoric".