Health Secretary Wes Streeting has launched a blistering attack on the British Medical Association, accusing the doctors' union of "juvenile delinquency" and behaving like "moaning minnies". The outburst came after resident doctors announced a fresh wave of industrial action set to disrupt the NHS in the run-up to Christmas.
Christmas Strike Action Announced
The British Medical Association has confirmed that resident doctors – previously known as junior doctors – will stage a walkout from 17 to 25 December. This marks their 14th strike since disputes over pay and career progression began in March 2023. Speaking on Sky News' Mornings with Ridge and Frost, Streeting expressed his frustration, labelling the timing a "cynical attempt to wreck Christmas" and warning it presents a "different order of magnitude of risk" compared to previous actions.
A Clash Over Pay and Policy
The Health Secretary argued that the strike action is unnecessary, pointing to a 28.9% pay rise for resident doctors over the past three years, including a 22% increase since Labour came to power. However, the BMA maintains that despite this uplift, a further 26% increase is required in the coming years to restore pay levels eroded since 2008.
The conflict extends beyond pay. Streeting praised GPs for a "big increase in satisfaction ratings" and highlighted that 98.7% of practices now offer online appointments, a move he is pushing to expand. He accused the BMA's GP committee of backtracking after initially agreeing to the digital shift, claiming they now oppose it on patient safety grounds.
"Holding Back the NHS's Recovery"
In a sharp critique of union leadership, Streeting stated: "The BMA is not only holding back the NHS's recovery and inflicting damage on patients, it's also self-defeating for their members who are having to work in these conditions." He contrasted the "rhetoric and the behaviour" of BMA leaders with the work of their members, whom he said were "doing a really good job working with the government."
Despite the fierce criticism, the cabinet minister insisted the government remains a "willing partner" and is aligned with the BMA on several key issues, including career progression, training places, and international recruitment. He urged the union to return to negotiations, stating "it is not too late to avert that strike action." The government's concerns are echoed by NHS clinical leaders, including Chief Executive Sir Jim Mackey, who Streeting said are also fearful of the pre-Christmas walkout's impact.
