Health Secretary Wes Streeting has launched a blistering attack on the British Medical Association (BMA), labelling striking doctors as 'moaning minnies' and accusing the union of an outbreak of 'juvenile delinquency'.
Christmas Walkout Sparks Ministerial Fury
The extraordinary verbal assault follows the BMA's announcement that resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, will stage a five-day walkout over the festive period. The industrial action is scheduled to begin at 7am on December 17 and run until December 22, hot on the heels of a five-day strike last month.
In a fiery interview with Sky News, Mr Streeting expressed deep frustration, arguing the union was ignoring progress made under the Labour government. He pointed to significant improvements in General Practice, including the fact that 98.7% of practices now deliver online access and patient satisfaction has risen from around 60% to 75%.
'Holding Back the NHS's Recovery'
Mr Streeting did not hold back in his criticism, stating he had 'had it' with the BMA's approach. He claimed the union's actions were not only damaging for patients but also self-defeating for its own members.
'The BMA is not only holding back the NHS’s recovery and inflicting damage on patients, it’s also self-defeating for their members who are having to work in these conditions,' the Health Secretary stated.
He specifically referenced the pay deal for resident doctors, highlighting they had received a 28.9% pay rise. Streeting accused the BMA of delaying the health service's recovery after years of Conservative austerity policies.
Union Stands Firm Amid Accusations
The BMA has yet to issue a formal response to the Health Secretary's latest comments. However, the union has consistently argued that the pay increases offered do not make up for years of real-terms pay cuts and that the strikes are a last resort in the face of a staffing crisis.
This latest escalation in rhetoric signals a significant hardening of the government's position ahead of the planned Christmas disruption. The coming weeks will test whether this confrontational approach can break the deadlock or further entrench positions in the long-running NHS pay dispute.
