The British Medical Association has called a five-day strike, but three out of four resident doctors have turned up for work in some hospitals. Protesters have also been less visible on picket lines. The residents’ strike has been met with great opposition as the NHS continues to struggle with flu.
But health chiefs say they are facing obstacles because there is a lot of support in some areas. Therefore, the crisis is expected to last beyond January. With the NHS canceling thousands of operations and appointments, people including cancer patients are worried about their lives.
Managers are canceling even routine treatments as other stressed staff have
to be deployed . Emergency admissions are also increasing due to a record superflu. Winter pressures are intensifying.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the decision by doctors to abandon patients was dangerous and irresponsible. But Conservative leader Kemry Badenoch responded that the strength to ban strikes must be shown. The British Medical Association is striking to demand a 26 percent pay increase.
