Ministers have condemned striking medics after some doctors appeared to celebrate industrial action coinciding with the Easter holidays, saying the walkout would effectively give them an extended break.

Tens of thousands of resident doctors in England are set to begin strike action at 7am tomorrow, with the stoppage lasting until next Monday morning. The timing, which overlaps with school holidays, has prompted anger after social media posts suggested some medics saw it as an opportunity for time off.

In one post shared online, a doctor described the schedule as "chef's kiss after a four-day bank holiday weekend", while another said "the ability to have 10 days off will make turnout quite high". Others suggested the timing would help with childcare or lead to higher locum pay and cancelled elective procedures.

The comments have sparked backlash from ministers and health leaders, who warned that the strikes will disrupt patient care and pile pressure on the NHS.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting accused doctors of inflicting "misery" on patients and criticised the British Medical Association for escalating the dispute.

He said: "For months, we have been locked in negotiations with the BMA to end the misery that strike action is inflicting on patients and other NHS staff.

"But they announced an unprecedented six days of strike action designed to cause maximum disruption."

The walkout marks the 15th round of strikes by resident doctors since 2023 and is expected to cost the NHS more than £250 million in lost activity and additional staffing costs.

The dispute centres on pay, with the Government highlighting that first-year doctors' salaries have risen significantly in recent years and that a further 4.9% increase has been offered. Ministers say this would take total pay rises over three years to around 35 per cent.

The Department of Health and Social Care has also warned that plans for 1,000 additional training places may no longer be viable due to the financial strain caused by ongoing industrial action.

NHS England said hospitals would attempt to maintain services but warned the latest strike would be particularly challenging due to the short notice.

The BMA defended the action, insisting doctors remain willing to negotiate.

Resident Doctors Committee chair Jack Fletcher said: "We are willing to bring an end to industrial action, but we are not seeing that willingness from the Government so far."

He added: "We know that strikes bring disruption, despite assurances that the vast majority of services can continue."