Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has publicly rebuked the British Medical Association (BMA) over its announcement that resident doctors in England will strike for five consecutive days from December 17 to December 22, 2023. He characterized the union’s actions as “juvenile delinquency,” suggesting that the upcoming strike poses unprecedented risks to patient care during a critical holiday period.
Streeting labeled the planned walkout as “irresponsible,” emphasizing that this strike comes at a time when the National Health Service (NHS) is already under significant pressure. He pointed out that striking just before Christmas presents a “different magnitude of risk” compared to previous industrial actions. The BMA claims the government has failed to make “sufficient progress towards a viable deal on jobs and pay,” prompting the decision to strike.
When questioned about the potential impact of the strikes on patient outcomes, Streeting expressed concern, stating, “I don’t want to be catastrophic about it, but it is a different order of risk and I am genuinely worried.” He further criticized the BMA’s approach, saying, “We’ve seen an outbreak in the BMA of juvenile delinquency, and it is irresponsible because we know that the NHS is under real pressure.”
Government and BMA Clash Over GP Access
The conflict between the government and the BMA extends beyond the strikes. Since October 1, 2023, the government mandated that all GP practices in England must provide online booking systems during core hours. The BMA has formally contested these changes, arguing that they compromise patient safety.
Streeting contended that the BMA has not supported its members adequately, remarking, “You would think from the BMA that I’ve had to drag GPs kicking and screaming to provide something that most services now provide, which is online access in the 21st century.” He noted that, contrary to the BMA’s position, GPs have embraced this transition, with 98.7 percent of practices now offering online access.
The looming strikes are expected to exert “intense” pressure on health services, particularly as flu cases rise and sickness among staff increases. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, responded to the situation by saying, “With the government failing to put forward a credible plan to fix the jobs crisis for resident doctors at the same time as pushing a real terms pay cut for them, we have no choice but to announce more strike dates.”
Dr. Fletcher added that the strikes are not set in stone, stating, “However, these do not need to go ahead. Gradually raising pay over a few years and some common-sense fixes to the job security of our doctors are well within the reach of this government.”
Previous strikes by resident doctors occurred from July 25 to 30 and November 14 to 19, 2023. Last month’s action marked the 13th strike since March 2023, with the summer walkout estimated to have cost the NHS approximately £300 million. The ongoing tensions between the BMA and the government reflect broader challenges within the healthcare system, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution that addresses both pay and working conditions for healthcare professionals.
