A senior NHS consultant has launched a scathing attack on the British Medical Association (BMA), accusing the doctors' union of "selling a fantasy" with its ongoing strike action. The anonymous consultant warns that industrial action is damaging patient care and eroding public trust in the healthcare system.
The Reality Behind the Rhetoric
According to the consultant, the BMA's portrayal of strikes as a necessary evil is misleading. "The union is presenting an unrealistic picture," they claim. "While fighting for better pay and conditions is understandable, the collateral damage to patient welfare is being dangerously downplayed."
Impact on Patient Care
The consultant highlights several concerning consequences of the industrial action:
- Delayed treatments and procedures
- Erosion of doctor-patient relationships
- Long-term damage to NHS reputation
- Increased pressure on non-striking staff
"Every cancelled appointment or postponed surgery represents a real person whose health is being compromised," the consultant emphasised.
Trust in Crisis
The article reveals growing concerns among medical professionals about the public perception of doctors. "There's a dangerous narrative developing that doctors care more about pay than patients," the source noted. "This could take years to repair."
The BMA has defended its actions, stating that improved working conditions ultimately benefit patients. However, critics argue the union has failed to adequately address the immediate consequences of strike action.
