Doctors to stage five-day strike before Christmas

The British Medical Association has announced a new series of strikes in England over a long-running pay dispute.

Resident doctors (the new name for junior doctors) will go on a five-day strike from December 17.

This will be the doctors' union's 14th strike since March 2023 and is expected to cause major disruption, particularly in hospitals.

NHS chiefs said it was an “inflammatory act” by the BMA as the run-up to Christmas was always challenging.

But the union said it was left with no choice because it had not received a credible offer from the government.

Resident doctors make up almost half of the medical staff and range from doctors fresh out of university to doctors with decades of experience.

They will stop receiving both emergency and planned care, and senior doctors will be brought in to provide cover.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said: “This is an inflammatory act by the BMA.

“Everyone knows that in the run-up to Christmas we need to gather all our strength.

“It is very important to be able to discharge as many patients as possible so that they can be at home with their loved ones if necessary.

“This is completely unfair to patients and other NHS staff.

“Both sides need to return to the negotiating table to clear the logjam.”

The strike follows a five-day strike last month after talks between the government and the union failed.

The government offered doctors a deal that included creating more training places, improving working conditions and helping them cover personal expenses such as exam fees.

But the BMA rejected the offer, saying any deal must include a pay rise.

Health Minister Wes Streeting has said he will not negotiate wages after resident doctors received a pay rise of almost 30% over the past three years.

But the union argues that despite the pay rise, resident doctors' pay is still a fifth lower than in 2008 when inflation is taken into account.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, said that because the government had failed to come up with a credible plan, the union was left with no choice.

But he added: “These [strikes] no need to go forward. A gradual increase in wages over several years and some sensible measures to keep our doctors employed are well within the reach of the current government.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The BMA has clearly decided to strike when it will cause maximum damage, causing untold concern.

“Patients and NHS staff deserve better than this cynical attempt to ruin Christmas.”

The BMA's strike mandate expires at the beginning of January, but it has announced it will hold another member vote.