Thousands of junior doctors across England have walked out in a major five-day strike, escalating a bitter dispute over pay and working conditions that is prompting many to seek careers abroad.
The Exodus to Australia
The industrial action, which began on Friday, 14 November 2025, sees resident doctors taking a stand against what they describe as inadequate pay and diminishing career prospects within the NHS.
Arthur Joustra, a resident doctor from Nottingham, voiced the frustrations felt by many, stating that a significant number of his highly trained colleagues are actively leaving the UK. "My colleagues are all going to Australia for better pay," he said, highlighting a growing brain drain from the British healthcare system.
Unemployment for the Highly Trained
Joustra further revealed a troubling paradox within the NHS, pointing out that despite a national shortage of medical staff, many qualified doctors are facing unemployment in the UK due to a lack of suitable posts.
This five-day walkout represents one of the most substantial periods of industrial action in the ongoing pay dispute, causing significant disruption to hospital services and patient appointments across the country.
Government Criticism and the Road Ahead
The strike has drawn sharp criticism from the government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the action, accusing the striking doctors of holding patients to "ransom".
This clash underscores the deepening crisis in NHS staffing and morale, as the health service struggles to retain its homegrown talent in the face of more lucrative opportunities overseas.
