The UK Hit by an 'Unprecedented' Flu Epidemic

The UK has been struck by an "unprecedented" flu epidemic, according to the British public health service. The British government urged doctors on Friday to cancel a planned five-day strike just before Christmas, as the country faces a "historic wave of super flu."

Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Health Minister Wes Streeting have repeatedly called on these "resident doctors"—similar to interns in France—to abandon their planned strike from December 17 to 22.

Streeting emphasized in The Times that the National Health Service (NHS) is in an "incredibly precarious situation" and facing an "unprecedented challenge since the Covid-19 pandemic."

While reaffirming his support for the right to strike, Starmer considered a five-day strike to be "irresponsible" and would put "the NHS and its patients at risk," in an editorial published in The Guardian. He echoed the comparison to the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that "the idea of going on strike in this context is frankly unimaginable."

According to figures released Thursday by the NHS, flu cases have reached record levels for this time of year, with a 55% increase in one week, averaging 2,660 patients hospitalized daily last week.

"With record demand for emergency services and ambulances and an imminent strike by resident doctors, this unprecedented wave of super flu puts the NHS in the worst possible position for this time of year," warned NHS Chief Medical Officer Meghana Pandit.

The NHS is in a deep crisis with extremely long wait times for appointments, making it a major political issue for the unpopular Labour government.

If the planned strike starting Wednesday goes ahead, it would mark the 14th strike by doctors since March 2023.

The "resident doctors" are in conflict with the government over salaries and training.

Streeting has agreed to the doctors' union request for UK-trained practitioners to be prioritized for training opportunities over foreign candidates. The number of training spots will also be increased.

However, the minister added that the government "cannot and will not budge on salaries, especially after a 28.9% increase over the last three years and the highest pay rise in the public sector in the past two years."

The British Medical Association, representing resident doctors, is demanding an additional 26%, arguing this increase is necessary to restore pay levels after years of below-inflation raises.

They plan to submit the government's new proposal to their members through an online survey that will close on Monday.