Resident doctors in England walked out at 7am on 14 November and will return to work on 19 November.

In a letter to NHS leaders, Sir James thanked staff for their ‘heroic efforts' to maintain services. He said the NHS was achieving its goal of delivering at least 95% of planned activity during the period.

He said: ‘It's a genuinely impressive response to everything you've had to contend with.'

The letter added: ‘While turnout is variable across the country, there are some really encouraging early indications that there have been fewer resident doctors striking than in any of the previous 12 rounds of industrial action.

‘We mustn't become complacent and there is some really hard work directly ahead of us – but don't lose sight of how remarkable the NHS response to all of this has been.'

Meanwhile, a Savanta survey, seen by The Times, suggests that only 33% of resident doctors agreed that the strike should go ahead, with 49% saying it should have been called off and 19% unsure.