Resident doctors in England will stage a five-day strike from December 17 to December 22, disrupting health services in the run-up to Christmas. The British Medical Association (BMA) announced the industrial action, the 13th walkout since March 2023, citing the Government's failure to address a jobs crisis and real terms pay cuts for doctors.
The timing amplifies pressure on an already strained National Health Service. Winter has brought surging flu levels and rising staff sickness, creating what experts predict will be "intense" pressure on services.
Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, called the strike a «devastating blow to health leaders who have only just navigated another round of walkouts». He warned of a «huge impact» on patients, with «thousands of cancelled appointments and operations» expected.
Jobs crisis drives action
Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, outlined the union's position. «With the Government failing to put forward a credible plan to fix the jobs crisis for resident doctors at the same time as pushing a real terms pay cut for them, we have no choice but to announce more strike dates», he said.
Fletcher emphasized the situation remains salvageable. «Gradually raising pay over a few years and some common-sense fixes to the job security of our doctors are well within the reach of this Government», he explained. The alternative, he warned, is «the indignity of see unemployed doctors at a time patients are queuing up to even see a GP».
The crisis has intensified requirements for training posts. Second-year doctors now face demands for «evidence of experience well beyond what would have previously been asked of them», according to Fletcher. «It is precisely this sort of situation which is driving doctors away from jobs and to the picket line», he said.
Extended mandate possible
The BMA is currently balloting members on extending its strike mandate, which expires in January. If successful, the mandate would run until August 2026. The ballot period runs from December 8 until February 2.
Previous walkouts have already cost the health service heavily. The summer strike from July 25 to 30 alone carried an estimated price tag of £300 million.
Healthcare leaders pledged to «do all they can to provide the best care possible and maintain patient safety during any periods of industrial action», Deighton said. He urged resident doctors to «reflect on the impact of yet more strikes on patients against the difficult financial backdrop we're operating in, and the generous pay rise that has already been offered».
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
