Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described planned strikes by resident doctors as “frankly beyond belief” during what he called the NHS’s most precarious moment since the pandemic. In an article for the Guardian, Starmer appealed to doctors not to walk out from 17 to 22 December, warning the action would place “the NHS and patients who need it in grave danger”.
Starmer’s intervention follows remarks by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who argued the strikes could overwhelm the NHS amid a “super flu” epidemic. An average of 2,660 hospital beds per day were occupied by flu patients last week, a 55% increase on the previous week. Streeting has offered more training places but no additional pay.
The British Medical Association accused the government of “scaremongering”. Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA resident doctors committee, said ministers were “laying the blame for the failings of the NHS to cope with an outbreak of flu at the feet of resident doctors”. He said Streeting could avert strikes by making an acceptable offer, but criticised the “cruel and calculated” lack of engagement outside strike periods.
An indicative online ballot of resident doctors closes on Monday morning. A YouGov poll on Friday found 58% oppose the strikes, while 33% support them. Starmer said he remained hopeful of a deal, urging doctors to accept the “good deal” on offer.
