The British Medical Association (BMA) has come under fire from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who accused the doctors' union of behaving like a cartel and jeopardizing the future of the National Health Service (NHS). His remarks precede a five-day strike by resident doctors in England, set to commence on Friday, marking the 13th such action in their ongoing pay dispute.

Speaking at the NHS Providers conference in Manchester, Streeting lambasted the BMA for what he described as holding the government and public hostage with their demands. He emphasized that while resident doctors have seen pay increases totaling nearly 30% over the past three years, their salaries remain a fifth lower than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation. The BMA, however, rejected the government's recent offer, which included covering exam fees and expanding training places, insisting that pay restoration is essential.

The impending strike, which will see resident doctors walk out from both emergency and routine care, has prompted NHS trusts to implement contingency plans. NHS North East and Yorkshire have urged the public to use health services judiciously, advising that emergency services remain available for life-threatening situations. Dr. Hamish McLure, regional medical director, assured that efforts are underway to maintain as many services as possible during the strike.

Streeting's criticism extended to the BMA's stance on taxation, accusing the union of lobbying against higher taxes for the wealthy, which he argued could bolster public finances and NHS funding. "We need to be realistic about the challenges facing the NHS and the public finances," Streeting stated, urging the BMA to reconsider their position.

The strike comes at a challenging time for the NHS, with hospitals already grappling with an early flu season. NHS leaders express concern over the potential disruption to patient care, emphasizing the need for a resolution to the ongoing dispute.