Health secretary’s fury at ‘self-indulgent’ five-day doctors’ strike as NHS faces Christmas flu crisis
Wes Streeting blasts doctors’ union for continuing with ‘dangerous’ strike
- NHS resident doctors, members of the British Medical Association (BMA), have voted to proceed with a five-day strike in the run-up to Christmas.
- The decision follows the rejection of a last-minute offer from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, which included training posts and expenses but no additional pay, deemed "too little, too late" by the BMA.
- Mr Streeting condemned the strike as "self-indulgent, irresponsible and dangerous", accusing the BMA of choosing the timing to inflict maximum damage on the NHS amid a surge in flu cases.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also criticised the action, appealing to doctors to ignore their union and return to work, warning they are losing public sympathy.
- Hospital leaders and health officials expressed deep concern, predicting a "very difficult Christmas" for the NHS and potential harm to patients due to the industrial action coinciding with record flu levels.