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Sir Keir Starmer has strongly appealed to resident doctors, cautioning them against proceeding with their planned strikes next week. He described the strikes as “reckless” and expressed incredulity that such action would take place amid a growing flu outbreak. The prime minister emphasized that the NHS is facing its “most precarious moment” since the coronavirus pandemic, as flu cases surge across the UK. According to him, any strike action would endanger both the healthcare system and the patients it serves.
The British Medical Association (BMA), representing the doctors, is currently conducting a poll among its members to decide whether to call off the strike, with results expected on Monday. If the poll rejects a cancellation, a five-day strike by resident doctors is scheduled to begin on Wednesday 17 December. A BMA spokesperson suggested that the government could potentially halt the strike by addressing concerns over pay, working conditions, and trust with a credible offer.
This winter’s flu season arrived early and is notable due to a newly mutated strain circulating, which some experts have dubbed “super flu.” While this term might suggest increased severity, the virus is not considered more serious or difficult to treat. NHS England reported that last week saw an average of 2,660 flu patients admitted daily in hospitals across England, marking the highest figure recorded for this time of year and representing a 55% increase compared to the previous week. Rising flu cases have also been observed in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with children and young people being disproportionately affected according to health officials.
In a piece published in the Guardian, Sir Keir argued that the strikes “should not happen,” urging resident doctors—formerly known as junior doctors—to accept a proposed deal to avoid industrial action. He noted that, aside from the new government offer, the BMA was also given the opportunity to postpone the strikes until after Christmas. Sir Keir expressed, “Don’t get me wrong – of course I would rather they were cancelled… But under the circumstances, I wanted to be sure we have left no stone unturned in our efforts to protect the NHS.” Meanwhile, the BMA plans to ask members if the government’s proposal is sufficient to call off the strikes beginning on Wednesday. If there is a favorable response, members will be allowed time to review the offer further, followed by a formal referendum to resolve the dispute fully. The government’s offer aims to mitigate issues faced by some doctors in securing work and to expand training opportunities for newly qualified medical professionals. Health Secretary Wes Streeting echoed similar concerns, warning that strikes amid rising flu cases would present a “double whammy” for the NHS. However, NHS London medical director Chris Streather reassured that the flu outbreak remains “well within the boundaries” of the NHS’s capacity and that hospitals are better equipped to handle large-scale disease outbreaks following experiences from the Covid pandemic
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