Resident doctors say ‘the system is breaking’ as they begin five-day strike over jobs and pay row
Why resident doctors are striking as five-day walkout begins
- Resident doctors in England commenced a five-day strike on Wednesday over an ongoing dispute concerning pay and working conditions.
- The British Medical Association (BMA) is demanding a long-term plan to address years of below-inflation pay rises for doctors.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned that patients will face significant disruption, noting the strike occurs at a critical time for the NHS due to rising winter illnesses.
- Doctors on picket lines, including at St Thomas' Hospital in London, highlighted low morale, staffing shortages, and a perception that the healthcare system is failing.
- The industrial action is anticipated to impact NHS waiting lists and cause disruption well into January, with resident doctors scheduled to return to work on 22 December.