Doctors return to work in England after five-day strike

Hospitals in England are working to get patients home for Christmas and recover from disruption caused by a five-day doctors' strike.

Resident doctors, formerly called junior doctors, are returning to work following a strike over ongoing pay disputes.

Thousands of routine and outpatient appointments were canceled as senior doctors were redeployed to A&E. The National Health Service Confederation, which represents hospital trusts, says the full impact on patients is still being assessed.

The strike began against the background of an increase in the incidence of influenza. despite last minute negotiations between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government.

BMA members have rejected a new government proposal aimed at tackling training and job security issues.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he wanted to end the dispute by the new year.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, said the union was keen to meet at the negotiating table with Mr Streeting.

He said: “In 2026 there needs to be less name-calling and more deal-making. What we need is a proper solution to this employment crisis and a credible path to restoring the lost value of the profession.”

“This must mean creating truly new jobs and could include a responsible, multi-year approach to restoring physician pay.”

The doctors' union said 65% of its members were taking part in the 14th strike since March 2023.

The doctors' union says resident doctors' wages are still a fifth lower than in 2008 due to inflation. This year they received an average salary of 5.4%.

During a visit to an ambulance station in London last week, Streeting said: “I really want to put an end to this argument.

“I don't want us to be involved in a bitter dispute and I'm never going to close the door to negotiations and I'll do everything I can to see if we can start 2026 off on the best foot.”

But Mr Streeting said the BMA was “demanding an additional 26% on top of what we have already given”.

“This is not a figure we can afford, but we will discuss one table with them again in the new year,” he added.

Health experts have warned that the impact of the strike will be felt into the new year “and beyond”.

Louise Stead, group chief executive of Ashford and St Peter's and Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trusts, told BBC Radio 4's Today program that hospitals are now working to safely discharge as many patients as possible home for Christmas.

“After five days we have a lot of very tired senior doctors who we now want to focus on getting patients out over Christmas and reducing our bed numbers.”

Last week Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer went on strike “dangerous and completely irresponsible,” especially during a record early winter flu season.

During the strike, the BMA said it would work with NHS chiefs to ensure safety in hospitals and other parts of the health service.

Although the NHS remains on high alert for flu, the rise in cases is, at least for now, slowing. The BBC reported this on Friday. Just over 3,000 patients were in hospital in England with the virus.

Meanwhile in Scotland Residential doctors are going on strike from January 13 to January 17. This will be the first time NHS staff have gone on national strike action.