When someone like Professor Robert Winston—a man known not just for his pioneering work in medicine but also for being a familiar face on British TV—decides to resign from a union he’s belonged to for over six decades, it turns heads.
The 84-year-old Labour peer and fertility expert has officially cut ties with the British Medical Association (BMA), citing growing concerns over its upcoming strike action.
Longtime Member Says Enough Is Enough
Professor Winston, best known for presenting BBC’s Child Of Our Time and for his groundbreaking IVF work, made his stance clear: this is the wrong moment for walkouts.
After more than 60 years as a member of the BMA, he says the decision to strike now—while the country is still in recovery mode—goes against the very essence of being a doctor.
“I’ve paid my dues for a long time,” he told The Times.
“But I strongly feel this isn’t the time to strike. The country’s struggling. People are struggling.
This kind of action just ignores how vulnerable our patients are.”
Five-Day Strike Planned by Resident Doctors
His resignation follows the BMA’s announcement that resident doctors in England (previously known as junior doctors) are planning a five-day strike starting at 7 a.m. on July 25.
The action is part of a larger dispute over pay and working conditions, which has seen tensions building between doctors and the government for months.
Professor Winston, however, believes that going ahead with the strike in such a climate could seriously undermine public trust.
“It’s vital that doctors take their individual responsibilities seriously,” he said.
“We risk doing long-term damage to how people see us.”
Health Secretary Echoes Concern Over Strike Timing
The concern isn’t Winston’s alone. Health Secretary Wes Streeting also voiced frustration in Parliament on Thursday, urging doctors to reconsider what he described as a rushed and unreasonable decision.
He warned that although progress is being made with NHS recovery, it remains fragile.
“We’ve put the NHS on the road to recovery,” Streeting said.
“But it’s still hanging by a thread—and the BMA is threatening to cut it.”
No Response Yet From the BMA
As of now, the BMA has not issued a formal response to either Winston’s resignation or Streeting’s appeal.
The planned strike, if it goes ahead, could become one of the longest continuous walkouts yet by resident doctors in England.
A Moment of Reflection for the Medical Profession
Winston’s comments reflect a deeper dilemma facing the medical community: how do you balance fair treatment and pay for doctors with the urgent needs of patients who rely on the NHS daily?
“It’s not just about contracts and negotiations,” Winston added.
“It’s about trust. And once that’s broken, it’s very hard to rebuild.”
