Key Takeaways
- Hospitals in England are working to recover from disruption caused by a five-day doctor strike over pay disputes
- Resident doctors are returning to work after the strike, which saw thousands of elective and outpatient appointments cancelled
- The NHS Confederation is assessing the full impact of the strike on patients, which occurred amid surging flu cases
- The British Medical Association (BMA) rejected a government offer to address training and job security issues, and is seeking a pay rise to restore the lost value of the profession
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting aims to end the dispute by the new year, while the BMA is seeking a credible path towards restoring doctors’ pay
Introduction to the Doctor Strike
The recent five-day doctor strike in England has caused significant disruption to hospitals, with thousands of elective and outpatient appointments cancelled. The strike, which was called by the British Medical Association (BMA), was held in protest of ongoing pay disputes, with resident doctors seeking a pay rise to restore the lost value of the profession. Despite last-minute talks between the BMA and the government, the strike went ahead, with the BMA rejecting a new government offer aimed at tackling issues with training and job security.
Impact of the Strike
The strike has had a major impact on hospitals, with senior doctors being redeployed to cover emergency and urgent care. The NHS Confederation, which represents hospital trusts, says that the full impact of the strike on patients is still being assessed. However, it is clear that the strike has caused significant disruption, with thousands of patients affected by cancelled appointments. Health experts have warned that the impact of the strike will be felt into the new year and beyond, with hospitals now working to safely discharge as many patients as possible before Christmas.
Government Response to the Strike
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said that he wants to see an end to the dispute by the new year, and is willing to get around the table with the BMA again in 2026. However, he has also stated that the BMA is demanding an extra 26% pay rise on top of what has already been given, which he says is not affordable. The government has faced criticism for its handling of the dispute, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling the walkout "dangerous and utterly irresponsible" particularly during a record flu season.
BMA Demands and Next Steps
The BMA has argued that resident doctors’ pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, due to inflation, and is seeking a credible path towards restoring the lost value of the profession. The union has said that 65% of its members participated in the strike, which was the 14th strike since March 2023. Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the resident doctors committee at the BMA, has said that the union is keen to get around the table with Streeting and find a solution to the dispute. The BMA is seeking the creation of genuinely new jobs and a responsible multi-year approach to restoring doctors’ pay.
Flu Season and NHS Pressure
The strike has occurred amid a surge in flu cases, with the NHS remaining on high alert over the virus. However, the surge in flu cases appears to be slowing, with the BBC reporting that just over 3,000 patients were in hospital in England with the virus. Despite this, health experts have warned that the NHS will continue to face pressure in the coming weeks and months, with the impact of the strike likely to be felt for some time.
Scotland’s Upcoming Doctor Strike
Meanwhile, in Scotland, residential doctors are set to strike from 13 January to 17 January, which will be the first time NHS workers have staged a national walkout. This strike is likely to cause further disruption to the NHS, and will add to the pressure on hospitals and health services. The strike in Scotland is a further indication of the ongoing disputes between doctors and the government, and highlights the need for a solution to be found to address the issues facing the NHS.
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