Resident doctors in England will stage a fresh round of strikes in the run-up to Christmas, the British Medical Association (BMA) has announced.

The five-day walkout, confirmed by the medics’ union this week, will take place from 7am on 17 December until 7am on 22 December.

Experts expect pressure on services to be “intense” amid surging flu cases and staff sickness, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting has accused the union of attempting to turn doctors “into the Grinch who stole Christmas” with another round of “cynical” strikes. New Feature

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Doctors, however, say they have been left with “no choice” but to strike, despite NHS bosses calling the action “inflammatory” and “reckless”.

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