Keir Starmer Urges Resident Doctors Against Strike Amid Severe Flu Epidemic and NHS Crisis
Keir Starmer has urged resident doctors not to proceed with strike action amid a severe flu epidemic and an ongoing NHS crisis. A deal with the British Medical Association (BMA) has been proposed and is currently being put to BMA members for a weekend vote. The government offer includes prioritising British medical graduates for specialty training starting next year, adding 4,000 training places, and covering training costs such as royal college membership and exam fees.
Additionally, the government has offered to extend the BMA mandate to reschedule strikes after Christmas if the current offer is rejected. Last week, patients with flu occupied an average of 2,660 hospital beds per day, representing a 55% increase from the prior week. NHS staff are expected to work around the clock, with some operations potentially cancelled and Christmas leave possibly revoked due to the patient surge. The article also notes pay rises of 28.9% over the past three years, claims record NHS investment, and reduced waiting times under the current government.
