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British resident doctors face a critical decision as their union ballots members on whether to call off a five-day strike scheduled to begin next Tuesday. The British Medical Association (BMA) will conclude its online poll on Monday, just two days before the walkout is set to start during what Health Secretary Wes Streeting warns is an unprecedented health crisis, with record flu levels overwhelming England's hospitals.
The timing has triggered alarm across the NHS. England is experiencing its highest flu patient numbers on record for this time of year, 50% higher than last year and 10 times higher than in 2023. Hospital bed occupancy stands at 95%, with growing staff sickness and mounting pressure on A&E departments.
Streeting addressed the Commons with a stark warning about the strike's potential impact. He said: «Frontline staff and NHS leaders have done a superb job in managing previous rounds of strike action. In fact, the last round of strike action, we did indeed maintain 95% of planned care.» But he added: «However, I've got to be upfront with the shadow health secretary and with the House that there is a much different degree of risk this time.»
The Health Secretary emphasized he cannot guarantee patient safety if the strikes proceed. «So while we're aiming to maintain 95% of elective activity again, we're aiming to, I cannot guarantee that, and I cannot give that assurance in all good conscience, given the level of pressure we are under,» he told MPs.
Government's Offer
The government has proposed new legislation guaranteeing UK-trained junior doctors priority for specialist training positions. The package includes 1,000 new specialty training posts beginning in 2026, rising to 4,000 over three years, plus funding for mandatory examination and Royal College membership fees for resident doctors.
Streeting offered to extend the BMA's strike mandate, allowing them to reschedule the same amount of strike action in January if members reject the current deal. The BMA's refusal to accept this compromise has drawn fierce criticism.
Sharp Political Clash
The Health Secretary expressed shock at the union's stance. «And honestly, as a Labour MP, I have spent lots of time in rooms with trade unions and negotiating, I honestly cannot think of a single other trade union in this country that would behave this way, I really can't,» he said. «And I'm actually shocked by it. And I'm shocked because of the risk it poses to patients. I'm shocked because of the pressure it places on other NHS staff, and I'm shocked because it threatens the recovery of the NHS that we all care about.»
He used striking language to describe the situation: «It is against this backdrop that the BMA is threatening to douse the NHS in petrol, light a match and march its members out on strike.»
Shadow Health Secretary Stuart Andrew backed the criticism, telling the Commons: «These strikes must end. The BMA are behaving appallingly.»
The BMA's Position
BMA resident doctors committee chairman Dr Jack Fletcher said that if members find the offer sufficient, a referendum to end the dispute will be held. But he added: «If members believe this is enough to call off strike action then we will hold a referendum to end the dispute. But if they give us a clear message that it is not, the Government will have to go further to end industrial action.»
The BMA has stated the government's proposal focuses on training but «does nothing to restore pay for doctors.» The union is campaigning for a 26% pay increase over the next few years, pointing to pay erosion since 2008.
Patient Impact
The Department of Health and Social Care called it «deeply disappointing that the BMA leadership has refused this generous compromise.» Streeting warned that the BMA's refusal to postpone the strike means many operations and procedures will be cancelled regardless, and frail patients will be prevented from being discharged in time to be home for Christmas.
Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said: «These strikes would come at the worst possible time, with rapidly rising flu levels putting huge strain on hospitals, and despite NHS leaders working incredibly hard to prepare, we are concerned it could put patient safety at risk.»
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, noted: «Recent strikes have been extremely disruptive and distressing for patients, divisive for staff and they've come at a huge cost to the NHS.» He urged: «We urge BMA members to seize the moment and bring this damaging dispute to an end.»
Several hospital trusts across England declared critical incidents earlier this week due to the flu surge, with University Hospitals Birmingham's critical incident remaining in effect.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
