Patients told to expect disruption as doctors embark on a five-day strike in England, with NHS leadership warning that non-urgent services will be affected as hospitals face a fresh flu surge. The strike begins at 07:00 on Wednesday and marks the 14th walkout by resident doctors, now the official term for junior doctors, amid a long-running pay dispute.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting claimed the timing was chosen to maximize disruption and endanger patients, while the British Medical Association said it would collaborate with NHS bosses to maintain patient safety during the action.
The walkout follows late-day negotiations on Tuesday described as constructive by the government, though no substantial progress was reached to call off the strike. Resident doctors constitute nearly half of NHS clinicians and will withdraw from both emergency and non-urgent care, with senior doctors stepping in to provide cover.
During the two most recent strikes in July and November, NHS England reported it kept most non-urgent procedures, including hip and knee replacements, going. This time, officials anticipate greater disruption, and there are concerns about hospitals’ ability to discharge patients before Christmas as clinicians focus on strike coverage.
Medical Director Prof Meghana Pandit noted the strikes come at a time of record flu-related hospital admissions and praised staff for rallying to provide safe care, while acknowledging that more patients are likely to feel the impact this round and that coverage staff will miss their Christmas time with families.
Streeting added that ministers have sought to avert the strikes but highlighted that the pre-Christmas and New Year period is traditionally the NHS’s busiest, compounded this year by a severe flu wave. He stressed that the combined pressures mean other NHS staff are bearing an additional burden.
NHS England reassured that GP practices will remain open and urgent and emergency services will be available. Nevertheless, some disruption is expected. Cheltenham General Hospital’s emergency department will close to major emergencies during the strike and redirect patients to nearby Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, though it will treat minor injuries.
For urgent but non-life-threatening issues during the strike, the public is advised to use 111 online first. Emergency care for life-threatening situations should continue to go through 999 or A&E as usual.
The strike persists despite a fresh government offer last week, which included more specialty training positions and coverage for out-of-pocket costs like exam fees.
Specialist training positions, typically taken up in the third year of postgraduate training after medical school, remain highly competitive. This year, about 30,000 applicants vied for 10,000 spots, with some applicants being international doctors. Dr Tom Twentyman, who lost out on an emergency medicine post, described the job search as an “absolute nightmare.” He now juggles locum shifts while applying for dozens of short-term contracts nationwide, with one eventually secured but not credited toward his training, forcing him to reapply next year.
On Monday, the BMA announced its members had voted to continue the strike, following an online member poll after the union rejected the government’s offer. Dr Jack Fletcher, the BMA’s resident doctor leader, called the response a clear mandate to push for broader changes to jobs and pay, urging the government to present a genuine, long-term plan.
Streeting has maintained that pay discussions are not currently on the table, noting that doctors have received roughly 30% pay increases over the past three years. The BMA contends that when inflation is accounted for, resident doctors’ pay remains about 20% lower than in 2008. Dr Fletcher urged ministers to deliver a credible path to salary progression and new, sustainable positions to prevent further strikes.
Throughout the strike, the BMA pledged close coordination with NHS England to address any safety concerns as they arise.
