🔗 Share this article The British Medical Association Cautions Against Flu 'Scaremongering' Before Scheduled Doctor Industrial Action The leading doctors' union has sounded a caution against what it calls widespread "alarmist rhetoric" regarding the present flu outbreak, as its members consider the possibility of planned strikes in England the coming week. BMA Reaction to Government Concerns This statement arrives after the Health Minister, Wes Streeting, stated he was "extremely worried" about the looming "one-two punch" of soaring counts of flu patients in hospitals and the forthcoming resident doctor strikes. BMA resident doctors committee chair, Dr Jack Fletcher, remarked that while the union was not "downplaying" the effect of flu, Mr. Streeting "should not be scaremongering the public into thinking that the NHS will not be able to look after them." "As doctors, we at the BMA wish to ensure that patients remain safe," a letter from the union stated. Industrial Action Vote and Possible Timeline The outcome of a members' referendum is expected on Monday. Should members vote no, a industrial action lasting five days will begin on Wednesday. Ministers states its deal includes legislation that prioritises British medical graduates for training posts starting next year and offers to subsidize professional development costs. But, the deal excludes a wage hike. Sir Keir Starmer has commented that pay for resident doctors has increased by 28.9% over the past three years. Appeals for Focus on a Deal In a statement, the BMA urged the health secretary to "concentrate on offering a deal that will stop next week's strikes going ahead, rather than making claims that strike action could cause the NHS to collapse." The union has also written to chief executives of NHS Trusts in England, saying that, should there be a strike, resident doctors may be called in to work to "ensure safe patient care." Government Response and Influenza Statistics Speaking to media, Mr. Streeting said the present circumstances was "perhaps the worst pressure the NHS has faced since Covid." He questioned why the BMA hadn't taken up an offer to push the strike back to January. Repeating the health secretary, the prime minister said the "reckless" strikes "should not happen" while the NHS is facing its "most vulnerable moment since the pandemic." Regarding the flu outbreak, health officials note it has come early this winter. Around 2,660 patients per day were in hospital with flu in England last week – the highest for this time of year on record in 2021. It is important to note, these records start from 2021 and so do not capture the two worst flu seasons of the past 15 years. Despite the rising numbers, the senior doctor for the NHS in London said the flu situation was "within manageable limits" of what the NHS could cope with and that hospitals were more ready for large disease outbreaks since the Covid pandemic. The BMA stated it will ask its members whether the government's latest offer will be enough to avert Wednesday's strikes. If members indicate yes, a second ballot would be held on ending the dispute entirely.