Resident doctors in England are planning to strike for five days, from December 17 to December 22, just before Christmas. This strike, announced by the British Medical Association (BMA), is due to the doctors' belief that the government has not made enough progress on a satisfactory deal regarding their jobs and pay. The BMA has stated that the health secretary was given an opportunity to re-engage in talks but has not responded, instead overseeing changes that effectively turn away thousands of resident doctors from training posts while simultaneously proposing a real-terms pay cut for 2026.
This upcoming strike is the second instance of industrial action by resident doctors since new leadership took over the resident doctors committee in September. The BMA has criticized the government for presiding over a "catastrophic recruitment round," highlighting that doctors are suffering as collateral damage despite their willingness to resolve the issues. The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.
NHS Providers, an organization representing NHS trusts, has called the BMA's decision an "inflammatory act" that will put further strain on the health service during a peak period, unfairly impacting patients and staff. They have urged both sides to return to negotiations to resolve the impasse.
However, the head of the resident doctors committee, Dr. Jack Fletcher, has defended the decision to strike, stating that the union has no alternative given the government's failure to present a credible plan to address the recruitment crisis while also pushing for pay cuts. He believes that the strikes could be avoided if the government agrees to gradual pay increases over future years and implements practical solutions to strengthen the healthcare workforce. The BMA is also balloting its members on extending its strike mandate, which currently expires in January, potentially allowing for further action until August 2026.