Government ‘has very small window’ to prevent doctors’ strike as talks fail to reach resolution
Why doctors’ strike action is becoming increasingly likely
- Talks between the Resident Doctors Committee (RDC) and Health Secretary Wes Streeting failed to resolve the ongoing pay dispute, leaving a "very small window of opportunity" to avert strikes.
- A five-day walkout by resident doctors in England is scheduled to begin on 25 July, threatening significant disruption to the NHS.
- Wes Streeting reiterated that the government cannot increase pay further after a 28.9 per cent rise, but is exploring ways to improve doctors' working lives.
- The RDC co-chairs stated that while working conditions are being considered, a pay deal remains "probably the simplest solution" and expressed readiness for further discussions.
- Previous strikes cost the NHS an estimated £1.5 billion and led to 1.5 million postponed appointments, with recent reports linking some patient deaths to the disruption.