UK Health Secretary Streeting Pledges Minimal Disruption as NHS Doctor Strike Starts

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Courtesy of BBC | PA media

 

Health Secretary Wes Streeting vows NHS stability as resident doctors in England kick off a major five-day strike today. Amid ongoing pay disputes, hospitals are only cancelling treatments in exceptional circumstances, maintaining both urgent care and routine services.

 

In a bold move, senior doctors are stepping in for striking resident doctors—the new term for junior doctors—for the twelfth time. The British Medical Association (BMA) raises concerns about overworked staff, condemning the government’s failure to avert the walkout. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticised the BMA, suggesting its strike could undo recent NHS progress.

 

While acknowledging the inevitable impact on NHS progress, Streeting insists on minimising patient disruptions. Despite the strike, NHS England assures the public that GP surgeries, A&E, and NHS 111 remain fully operational. Patients are encouraged to attend appointments unless notified otherwise.

 

The government and the BMA failed to negotiate over non-pay issues such as exam fees and career paths, while Streeting insisted that pay discussions were not on the table. The BMA argues that, despite recent pay increases, adjusted for inflation, doctor pay has fallen by a fifth since 2008. Current salaries for resident doctors range from £38,831 to over £73,000, dependent on experience and overtime.

 

BMA co-leaders Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt emphasise that restoring pay is vital for improving working conditions. They lay responsibility at Streeting’s feet, suggesting his inaction led to the strike. As the situation unfolds, the NHS faces a critical juncture in balancing doctor advocacy with patient care.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from [source] 2025-07-26

 

 

[goldenbrwn1]

This action is not popular with the public and I don’t see much support  for the NHS of late by the general populace since they have become far too political. Just yesterday I drove past the BRI in Bristol and  outside was a hundred or so staff waving Palestine flags and socialist worker banners chanting the usual .  Fatigue in the UK is massive right now with all the socialist crap.  💯 Reform will win the nxt election, if the UK manages to have one before it all hits the fan