This week's doctors' strike is another test of Wes Streeting's mettle. He is right not to buckle | Polly Toynbee

"The bizarre, self-defeating assault on Wes Streeting suggests a pre-budget panic. This feels like a government losing touch and escaping from dismal circumstances in the real world. The ricochets damaged the PM and Morgan McSweeney, whoever organised these orchestrated briefings. If the briefers are not found and fired, No 10 looks either weak or guilty. The health secretary shrugged it off with wit and agility in a host of interviews and left for Manchester to speak to the NHS Providers conference."

"Resident (formerly junior) doctors go out on a five-day strike from 7am on Friday. Their timing aims at maximum disruption in what will be one of the toughest winters our staff have ever faced according to NHS England's CEO, Jim Mackey. An exceptionally virulent flu strain has arrived early, with cases already several times higher than normal. Last month, flu hospitalisations were up 74% week-on-week."

"The latest NHS figures out this week show that in October 54,000 patients waited more than 12 hours for a bed in emergency departments, nearly 10% more than the same month last year. With the elective waiting list now at 7.39 million, Health Foundation analysis has suggested that on current trends, the government will fall just short of its headline pledge to restore the 18-week elective care standard by the end of this parliament."

An orchestrated political assault on Wes Streeting signalled pre-budget panic and damaged senior figures including the prime minister and Morgan McSweeney. Failure to identify and dismiss the briefers would leave No 10 appearing weak or culpable. The health secretary responded with wit in interviews and attended the NHS Providers conference in Manchester. Resident doctors will stage a five-day strike from 7am on Friday, timed to maximise disruption during a winter NHS leaders warn will be among the hardest. An early, virulent flu surge has driven hospitalisations up sharply. October saw 54,000 patients wait over 12 hours for emergency beds, and the elective backlog stands at 7.39 million.

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