'Hardline' BMA blocks pleas for strike doctors to work

The article discusses the ongoing tension between the British Medical Association (BMA) and NHS England regarding the deployment of striking doctors during emergencies. NHS England claims that it has made 18 requests for striking doctors to work, but the BMA has blocked these pleas, citing concerns about hospitals stretching staff too thinly. The BMA is being described as "hardline" in its stance, refusing to allow striking doctors to provide cover during critical situations. This has raised concerns about the impact on patient care and the ability of the healthcare system to cope during these periods of industrial action. The article highlights the complex balancing act between the rights of workers to strike and the need to ensure adequate medical care for the public. It suggests that the BMA's position is seen as inflexible by NHS England, which is seeking to find a compromise that would allow for a limited number of striking doctors to work during emergencies.