A nurse has told ITV News that people will die if resident doctors go ahead with a planned strike next week amid a sharp rise in flu cases, West of England Reporter Sangita Lal and Political Correspondent Harry Horton report
A nurse has told ITV News they believe there will be "avoidable patient deaths" if resident doctors strike in the run up to Christmas, as the NHS already faces huge pressure from a surge in "super flu" cases.
A five-day strike by resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, is due to begin on December 17 and run through to December 22.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the strikes "reckless", adding that they "place the NHS and patients who need it in grave danger", but there are hopes it could be called off after a fresh offer from the hea…
A nurse has told ITV News that people will die if resident doctors go ahead with a planned strike next week amid a sharp rise in flu cases, West of England Reporter Sangita Lal and Political Correspondent Harry Horton report
A nurse has told ITV News they believe there will be "avoidable patient deaths" if resident doctors strike in the run up to Christmas, as the NHS already faces huge pressure from a surge in "super flu" cases.
A five-day strike by resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, is due to begin on December 17 and run through to December 22.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the strikes "reckless", adding that they "place the NHS and patients who need it in grave danger", but there are hopes it could be called off after a fresh offer from the health secretary.
In an anonymous interview with ITV News, the nurse warned they have a "sense of dread" over the added pressure of strikes coming up.
They said: "The other day, I saw a consultant surgeon consenting a patient for private, intimate surgery in the middle of a corridor with no barriers around, other patients opposite and people using a vending machine next to the patient.
In an anonymous interview with ITV News, the nurse warned of "avoidable patient deaths" if resident doctors strike next week. Credit: ITV News
"And I thought, what have we come to here? With the added pressure of another doctors strike coming up, you just have a sense of dread because everything stops working as efficiently.
"And at the end of the day, it’s the patient that suffers."
They continued: "I think if the doctors strike, without a shadow of a doubt, there will be avoidable patient deaths.
"And I just don’t think I, as a professional, would ever forgive myself if I knew a patient died because I wanted more money."
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It follows a similar warning from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who said the NHS could collapse under the combined pressure, adding that he was "genuinely fearful" for the health service if the strikes go head next week.
A new strain of influenza A, known as H3N2 and nicknamed “super flu”, is circulating in England this year.
It differs from the variant that dominated last winter; population immunity is lower, making it easier for the virus to spread.
NHS figures published on Thursday showed flu cases at a record level for the time of year, after jumping 55% in a week to an average of 2,660 patients in hospital each day last week.
‘Super flu’ surge and planned strikes could collapse NHS, Streeting says
Where can I get the flu jab and who is eligible to get it for free?
At this point last year, the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to get a flu jab, saying early data shows this year’s vaccine is offering good protection despite the new strain now driving most cases.
Earlier this week, Streeting offered resident doctors a new deal to prevent the strikes.
The union said the offer includes new legislation to ensure homegrown doctors in training have priority for speciality training roles, an increase in speciality training posts over the next three years, with 1,000 of these to start in 2026, and funding for mandatory examination and Royal College membership fees for resident doctors.
The BMA said it will consult members by surveying them online on whether the new offer from the government is enough to call off the walkouts next week.
The online poll closes on Monday, just two days before the five-day walkout is set to begin.
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