'Utterly irresponsible': BMA accuses Streeting of scaremongering over doctor strike | ITV News

The British Medical Association (BMA) has accused Wes Streeting of “scaremongering”, after he warned that strikes before Christmas could push the NHS to collapse as it grapples with the winter flu outbreak.

The doctors’ union claimed the Health Secretary has been "utterly irresponsible in the way he is exploiting patients and public fears", and that he was "laying the blame" of NHS failings on doctors instead of himself.

Doctors are currently being polled on an offer tabled by the Health Secretary to avert next week's walkouts, although the BMA described it as "poor" and added that it does not include any offer on pay.

Strikes will take place for five consecutive days from 7am on December 17, unless resident doctors who are members of the union vote in favour of the deal.

Mr Streeting earlier said the health service is facing “probably worst pressure” since Covid and urged resident doctors to accept the deal.

“The whole NHS team is working around the clock to keep the show on the road. But it’s an incredibly precarious situation,” he wrote in the Times.

“Christmas strikes could be the Jenga piece that collapses the tower.”

NHS Providers, which represents trusts, urged resident doctors to accept the government’s “unprecedented” offer and said rhetoric about industrial action needed “calming down”.

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