Patients in England are being warned of disruption as resident doctors begin a five-day strike, with NHS bosses admitting that keeping services running will be harder than in previous walkouts. The strike, which starts at 07:00 Wednesday, comes as hospitals face a surge in flu cases.
NHS England said non-urgent services would be impacted, as the strike coincides with one of the busiest periods for hospitals. This marks the 14th walkout by resident doctors – the new term for junior doctors – amid a long-running dispute over pay and training job opportunities.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticised the timing, saying the strike was aimed at causing maximum disruption and putting patients at risk. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) assured the public that patient safety would remain a priority during industrial action.
Last-minute talks between NHS representatives and the BMA on Tuesday afternoon were described as “constructive” by the government. Yet, insufficient progress meant the strike went ahead. Resident doctors account for nearly half of the doctors working in the NHS, and both emergency and non-urgent care will be affected. Senior doctors will provide cover where possible.
In previous strikes, NHS England managed to keep most non-urgent operations, such as hip and knee replacements, on schedule. However, officials have warned of more significant disruption this time, particularly with hospitals under pressure to discharge patients before Christmas.
Medical Director Professor Meghana Pandit emphasised the challenges, stating, “These strikes come at an immensely challenging time for the NHS, with record numbers of patients in hospital with flu. Staff will go above and beyond to provide safe care, but sadly more patients are likely to feel the impact this round.”
Streeting added that the combination of flu and strikes is an “additional burden” on NHS staff. “Everyone knows the period leading up to Christmas and into the New Year is always the busiest for the NHS,” he said.
GP practices will remain open, and urgent and emergency care services will continue to operate. However, some hospitals are taking specific measures; Cheltenham General Hospital’s emergency department will close for emergencies but remain open for minor injuries, redirecting serious cases to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. NHS England also advised using 111 online for urgent, non-life-threatening medical concerns.
Despite a new government offer last week, including increased specialty training posts and reimbursement of expenses like exam fees, the BMA decided to proceed with the strike. Specialty training positions, which begin in year three of training after medical school, have become highly competitive.
Dr Tom Twentyman, who recently failed to secure an emergency medicine post, described the process as “an absolute nightmare.” After juggling locum shifts and applying for over 40 short-term contracts, he finally secured a position that does not count toward training, requiring him to reapply next year.
The BMA’s decision to continue striking follows an online poll of members, which Dr Jack Fletcher described as a “resounding response.” Fletcher urged the government to address pay and create genuinely new training jobs, warning that only a long-term plan will prevent future strikes.
Although doctors have received nearly 30% pay rises over the last three years, the BMA highlights that, adjusted for inflation, resident doctor pay is still roughly a fifth lower than it was in 2008. Dr Fletcher stressed that transparent, long-term pay increases and enough new jobs could avoid further industrial action.
Throughout the strike, the BMA has pledged to maintain close contact with NHS England to resolve any patient safety concerns that may arise. “We are committed to ensuring patient safety remains paramount,” the union said.
The ongoing industrial action underscores the growing tension in the NHS over workforce pressures, pay, and career progression, highlighting the strain on both doctors and patients during one of the busiest periods of the year.
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