Strike Impact Diminishes as More Doctors Work
Support for ongoing industrial action by resident doctors appears to be weakening, with health leaders reporting significantly higher attendance rates during the latest five-day walkout. According to NHS Providers, a snapshot poll of trust chief executives indicated that the vast majority of planned care proceeded as normal due to reduced participation in the strike action.
In some areas, more than three in four doctors attended their scheduled shifts, with visibly smaller picket lines observed across the country. One NHS executive noted that most doctors had apparently chosen either to work or remain at home rather than stand outside hospitals in poor weather conditions.
Political Condemnation and Union Response
Health Secretary Wes Streeting launched a strong criticism against the British Medical Association, accusing the union of 'inflicting pain and misery on patients' through their continued industrial action. The BMA is demanding an additional 26 per cent pay increase on top of the 28.9 per cent raise resident doctors have received over the past three years.
Speaking to LBC radio, Streeting declared the current five-day strike, which began today, would 'set us back' and warned that union 'activists' are 'damaging' NHS recovery efforts. He challenged the BMA leadership to put his offer to members, which includes extra training places and financial support for expenses like exam fees.
Broader Political Reactions and Patient Impact
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated she would ban doctors' strikes if in power, emphasizing that the previous pay settlement of 28 per cent exceeded increases seen elsewhere in the public or private sectors. She expressed concern that continued strikes are 'putting patients' health and safety at risk.'
This marks the 13th walkout by doctors since March 2023, with the previous strike in July estimated to have cost the health service approximately £300 million. Resident doctors, who comprise around half of the NHS medical workforce, have up to eight years of hospital experience or three years as a GP.
The NHS aims to maintain at least 95 per cent of planned activity during the five-day action. During the last resident doctors' strike, despite maintaining 93 per cent of planned activity, more than 54,000 procedures and appointments required cancellation or rescheduling.
Professor Meghana Pandit, national medical director of the NHS, told BBC Breakfast that 'every strike is devastating, really, for the NHS' and acknowledged there would be patient impacts. However, she urged the public to continue seeking care and attending appointments unless notified otherwise.
The BMA's current strike mandate expires on January 6, but union leaders are reportedly planning to escalate action with monthly walkouts throughout next year if members endorse further industrial action.
