STRIKING doctors are “putting lives at risk” and “need to realise what’s at stake”, the Home Secretary has warned.
Shabana Mahmood has said hospitals are already buckling under “huge strain” as a brutal outbreak sweeps the country.
She also urged resident doctors to accept the pay deal on the table.
It echoes what Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said earlier this week as he blasted doctors plotting a mid-crisis strike next week as “irresponsible”.
NHS officials said there are now enough virus patients in England to fill three hospitals,after the total surged from 1,968 on November 30 to 2,781 on December 7.
Stocks of vaccines, cold remedies and handwash have begun to run low as the mutant strain spreads.
UK Hospitals Face Strain from Strikes, flu, and Rising Patient Numbers
The UK’s National Health service (NHS) is facing a challenging period with a planned five-day doctor’s strike from December 17 to 22, combined with a surge in flu and other winter viruses. This comes as waiting lists are starting to grow again.
Prime minister Keir Starmer stated that a “significant pay rise” has already been offered. He urged the British Medical Association (BMA) to accept the offer, saying, “It’d be irresponsible…to push through with strike action.” He believes many doctors don’t want to strike.
Ms Mahmood praised NHS staff, saying, “These are very hard-working public servants, but they have seen the best deal of anyone in the public sector.”
NHS England’s medical director, Professor Meghana Pandit, described the situation as a “worst-case scenario.” She noted that the number of patients hospitalized with flu is “extremely high” for this time of year and continues to rise, meaning a very challenging few weeks ahead.
This year’s flu season started early due to a mutated strain of the virus, leading to lower immunity. Doctors warn that the chaos will likely continue into the new year, with particularly high cases among babies and young children, who are at greater risk of severe illness.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also reports increases in norovirus (a sickness bug) and RSV (a coughing bug).The NHS has already been struggling with record demand, staff shortages, and strikes.
Recent statistics show waiting lists have increased from 7.39 million to 7.4 million in October, as hospitals are not treating patients quickly enough.Over 51,000 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E departments.