UK Health Secretary, BMA Expected Meet to Avert NHS Doctor Strikes

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is set to meet with representatives from the British Medical Association (BMA) next week in an effort to prevent planned strike action by resident doctors in England. The doctors, who received a 5.4% pay rise this financial year following a 22% increase over the past two years, argue that their pay remains about 20% lower in real terms compared to 2008 and are demanding a clear plan to restore its value. The government has maintained that it cannot improve the current pay offer but is willing to enhance working conditions. Streeting has described the planned strike as "unnecessary and unreasonable," warning it could severely impact the NHS and patient care by increasing waiting times. The BMA insists that strikes will only be called off if a credible offer is made that can be presented to its members. The dispute follows 11 separate strikes in recent years, with prominent medical figures like Lord Robert Winston opposing the strike action due to concerns about public trust in the profession.