Furious Wes Streeting has issued a stern warning to resident doctors about the negative impact their five-day strike could have on the progress made in reducing NHS waiting lists.

The Health Secretary expressed concern as medics commenced their picket lines today for the start of the strike. He criticized the British Medical Association (BMA) for their 13th walkout since March 2023, with the previous strike in July reportedly costing the NHS £300 million.

During a heated discussion on LBC radio, Mr. Streeting confronted a resident doctor named Niraj, who emphasized their dedication to patient safety and reluctance to strike. Despite this, Niraj expressed dissatisfaction with the Health Secretary’s proposals to end the dispute.

In response, Mr. Streeting emphasized the responsibility of the striking doctors, stating that they must acknowledge and take ownership of the potential harm their actions could cause to patients.

Niraj raised concerns about the lack of support for resident doctors and questioned the sincerity of the Health Secretary’s efforts to address their grievances. Mr. Streeting criticized the BMA for jeopardizing patient care through strikes and highlighted the impact on taxpayers funding the NHS.

The strike coincides with a Times poll showing mixed opinions among resident doctors, with some calling for the strike to be called off. Previous strikes resulted in the cancellation or rescheduling of over 54,000 procedures and appointments, despite the NHS maintaining most planned activities.

NHS Confederation CEO, Matthew Taylor, urged the BMA to reconsider the strikes in light of the financial constraints and existing pay rises for resident doctors. He called for a more reasonable approach and a return to negotiations to resolve the ongoing dispute.