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Happy Christmas from Resident Doctors working for the basket case NHS! Britain might be penniless and broke but that hasn't stopped those whose job is to literally keep the population alive from staging a disgraceful winter walkout.

When they desert their posts for five days between December 17 and 22 it will be the 14th strike by a group formerly known as junior doctors since March 2023 - despite an inflation-smashing pay rise. That's an average round of industrial action every two months orchestrated by the militant British Medical Association.

Back in 2023 Professor Philip Banfield, the BMA's then chair of council, said he was "truly sorry for the impact the strikes have on patients and staff working in the NHS".

More than two years later sorry seems to be the hardest word.

His successor Dr Tom Dolphin clearly isn't as the chaos under his watch continues.

Come Christmas time the doctor definitely won't see you now...

Resident doctors have already received a significant pay rise with an overall average pay uplift of about 22.3% accepted last year. But, according to the BMA, it's still not enough.

Foundation doctors in year one earn a basic salary of £38,831 rising to £44,439 in year two.

Remuneration increases further for senior specialty registrars, with a basic salary of up to £73,992 for those starting specialty training this year.

The public once stood on their doorsteps to clap the NHS; they are now turning their backs as patience from patients wears thin.

Labour has to shoulder some of the blame for this mess.

Billions of pounds of taxpayers' cash has been blown on inflation-busting rises - 15 per cent for train drivers and a handsome 22 per cent for junior doctors for a start. The greed of the unions knows no bounds.

There's no money left in bankrupt Britain, let alone any ethical argument to be made for downing tools at the most critical time of the year, especially when all other areas of the NHS manage to show up for work.

Embarrassed colleagues - and long-suffering patients - rightly feel betrayed and held to ransom.

But the belligerent band led by Dr Dolphin, 47, a consultant anaesthetist at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, are set to carry on regardless.

December's walkout will be the third time they have gone AWOL this year leaving those under their care anxious and fed-up.

Dr Dolphin - previously a lackey for Dawn Butler but who failed to make the shortlist as a prospective Labour MP ahead of last year's general election - said the rolling programme of strikes could go on for a very long time.

While he walks out, the very best of the NHS will be at work picking up the pieces, many cancelling leave with their families to ensure patients are seen.

During strikes in July and November more than 95 per cent of planned hospital visits went ahead in a testament to those who epitomise the values of the NHS, however shambolic access to its services might be.

Defiant Dr Dolphin said: "The truth is that care is already disrupted every day. Operations are cancelled across the country due to lack of beds and lack of staff. This will only continue unless we start valuing doctors properly - and like they are elsewhere.

"Doctors are taking a stand now to make sure that we can recruit and keep excellent doctors for our health service. We are struggling to staff our rotas now; we cannot let things get worse, for the sake of patients and the NHS we know and love."

In its latest inspection report for St Mary's Hospital, run by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, the Care Quality Commission watchdog ranked its services as "requires improvement".

Perhaps the BMA and Dr Dolphin might want to reflect on that when they abandon their posts just days before Christmas.