Thousands of junior doctors in England have walked out on a five-day strike, bringing the health service to a standstill in the run-up to Christmas. The industrial action, which began at 7am on Wednesday, is the 14th such walkout by resident doctors since 2023 and could see up to half of the medical workforce stop work until next week.
Strike Action Amidst Winter Pressures
The British Medical Association (BMA) called the strike after its members rejected the Government's latest pay offer. The union argues the deal "does nothing to restore pay for doctors" after years of real-terms cuts. This comes as NHS England grapples with a record surge in flu cases, with warnings of a super strain circulating.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned that patient safety could be compromised by the walkouts, a claim the BMA has dismissed as "scaremongering." NHS leaders have confirmed that non-urgent appointments and surgeries are likely to be cancelled as hospitals prioritise urgent and emergency care.
How to Check if Your Hospital is Affected
Volunteers have created a searchable, interactive map showing which hospitals across England are impacted by the strike action. The public can use this tool to check their local services and find information on joining picket lines.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England's national medical director, stated: "These strikes come at an immensely challenging time for the NHS... sadly more patients are likely to feel the impact of this round of strikes than in the previous two." She urged the public to attend appointments unless told otherwise, but acknowledged many will be rescheduled.
Urgent Plea for Vaccinations and Using Services Wisely
Alongside strike warnings, NHS leaders issued an urgent plea for eligible people to get their flu vaccine. Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: "This is an urgent plea from the NHS - please come forward for your flu jab now and get protected."
The public is advised to use services wisely during the industrial action:
- Dial 999 for life-threatening emergencies only.
- Use 111 online for other urgent medical advice.
- Visit your local pharmacist or GP for minor ailments.
- Expect longer waits for non-urgent concerns.
The five-day strike is set to severely disrupt services during a period of peak seasonal pressure, with staff covering shifts set to miss their planned Christmas breaks.
