Senior medics sought to reassure patients that they could be seen in the normal way in emergencies, but others were asked to stay away if possible.

According to one junior doctor who works in a London hospital, the attack left hospitals struggling to care for people. “However much they pretend patient safety is unaffected, it’s not true. At my hospital we are literally unable to do any x-rays, which are an essential component of emergency medicine,” the doctor told the Guardian.