The doctors’ strike threatens to scupper the NHS's big turnaround – this time, the BMA has overreached | Polly Toynbee

Britain is now a poorer country, with stagnant growth. In this pay climate, the doctors are in danger of seeing public support ebb awayGood news and bad news for the NHS this week. Waiting lists are falling a bit faster: May’s figures, out yesterday, show the lowest waiting list total in two years, as well as the highest number of treatments ever recorded. But yes, lists are still long, at 7.36 million, with 40% of people waiting longer than 18 weeks.More good news today: patients are more satisfied, or less dissatisfied, with GPs: 70% satisfied with contacting the GP and 75% reported a good overall experience. The extra 1,900 GPs and the increased rollout of phone and NHS app bookings are reducing the 8am fastest-finger scramble.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...