The United Kingdom is dealing with what one senior health official has described as an “unprecedented wave of super flu,” prompting renewed alarm across the country.
At the same time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday sharply criticised plans by junior doctors to stage a five-day walkout next week.
In an article for The Guardian, Starmer said the fast-spreading flu outbreak has created “the most fragile moment for the NHS since the pandemic.”
He stressed that a strike so close to Christmas “should not go ahead” and called the decision “reckless,” arguing that it puts both the health service and vulnerable patients at serious risk.
Fresh NHS data released on Thursday confirmed that flu activity is surging at a pace not seen before at this time of year. According to the figures, hospital admissions linked to flu rose by 55 percent in a single week, reaching an average of 2,660 patients per day.
"With record demand... and an impending resident (junior) doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year," said NHS National Medical Director Meghana Pandit.
Health minister Wes Streeting told The Times newspaper the numbers could triple before they peak and said the situation in hospitals was already "inexcusable".
The functioning of the NHS is a major political issue in Britain, with Starmer's beleaguered Labour government under pressure to bring down waiting times.
The planned strike from Wednesday will be the 14th walkout by medics since March 2023 if it goes ahead.
The resident doctors -- those below consultant level -- are in dispute with the government over pay and a shortage of training opportunities.
Streeting has agreed to the doctors' union's demand that UK-trained medics get priority for training posts over candidates from overseas.
The number of training places will also be boosted.
"A good deal is on the table," wrote Starmer. "My message to the doctors is simple –- take it."
But Streeting insisted the government "cannot and will not move on pay, especially not after a 28.9-percent pay rise over the last three years and the highest pay award across the entire public sector in the last two".
The British Medical Association, which represents resident doctors, is demanding an extra 26 percent it says is needed to achieve pay restoration after years of below inflation pay deals.
It is due to put the government's new deal to members in an online survey, which will close on Monday.
(With AFP inputs)
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