Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described planned strikes by resident doctors from 17-22 December as “frankly beyond belief”, warning they could endanger the NHS and patients during a severe flu outbreak. Writing for the Guardian, Starmer said the industrial action would be “reckless” at a time when the health service is facing its most precarious moment since the pandemic.
The intervention follows comments by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who argued the strikes could overwhelm the NHS, and urged doctors to accept a deal offering more training places but no extra pay. The British Medical Association (BMA) accused the government of “scaremongering” and blamed doctors for the NHS's failings. Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA resident doctors committee, said Streeting's offer was “poor” and came with an unrealistic 24-hour deadline.
NHS data shows an average of 2,660 hospital beds occupied daily by flu patients last week, up 55% from the previous week, with the outbreak described as a “worst-case scenario”. Tony O’Sullivan of the Keep Our NHS Public campaign called the government’s stance “the height of irresponsible behaviour”. An indicative online ballot of resident doctors is due to close on Monday.
Fletcher stated that if Streeting puts forward an acceptable offer, doctors would call off the strike. YouGov polling on Friday found 33% support for the strike, with 58% opposed. Starmer said a “good deal” is on the table and urged doctors to “take it”, but the BMA insists the government must engage seriously to end the dispute.
