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The British Medical Association (BMA) has declared a five-day strike by resident doctors in England starting 17 December over a pay dispute. This marks the 14th strike since March 2023, likely to disrupt hospital services intensely before Christmas. NHS leaders have called it an "inflammatory act", citing the holiday period's inherent challenges.

 

Resident doctors, comprising nearly half of the medical workforce, from recent graduates to those with a decade’s experience, will halt all emergency and routine services. Senior doctors are set to cover during the walkout. The NHS Providers' CEO, Daniel Elkeles, expressed frustration, emphasising that there must be full hospital staffing to ensure patients can be home with loved ones during the holidays. He urged both parties to resume negotiations.

 

This latest strike follows earlier action after talks between the government and the BMA failed. The government had proposed a package including more training posts and improved conditions, which the BMA rejected without a pay increase. Health Secretary Wes Streeting remains firm against pay rise negotiations, noting nearly 30% increments in the past three years. However, the BMA argues the pay is still 20% lower than in 2008 after adjusting for inflation.

 

Dr Jack Fletcher, the chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, maintains that gradual pay increases and job security measures can prevent the strikes. Wes Streeting, in the meantime, accused the BMA of exacerbating disruption, which in turn led to patient anxiety over Christmas. The current strike mandate ends in January, but the BMA plans another membership ballot to assess future action, reported the BBC.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• BMA announces five-day strike of resident doctors from 17 December.
• NHS leaders criticise the timing; government and BMA disagree on pay.
• BMA plans another ballot; strike mandate ends in January.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-02

 

 

 

Scrooge?

5 day strike on the 17th running nicely into Christmas Day,Boxing Day and the long week-end that will follow.

Nice timing or am I being a tad cynical?

This time round they have zero support from the general public.

 

Sack the lot of them.

They have sensed weakness in the pathetic Labour government.

 

Now they know that Rachel from accounts 20 Billion black hole was a complete lie they think they can get some of it for themselves.

 

Labour will no doubt cave. 

 

1 hour ago, Bannoi said:

This time round they have zero support from the general public.

 

Sack the lot of them

 

Maybe not zero but not a lot. Sack them is not an option.

 

Resident doctors have just been awarded a 28.9% pay increase over 3 years. They argue that award merely gets them back to where they were as their pay has not matched inflation for a number of years. They add that they are underpaid in comparison with their overseas peers.

 

Well, firstly, many sectors have found that their 'real' pay has fallen; the doctors are not alone. Secondly, while doctors in some overseas countries are paid more, their tuition costs are significantly higher. For example, £45k in the UK vs. $300k (median value) in the US.

 

This smacks of opportunistic greed.

Yeah! Sacking the lot would have no effect on patients lives, would it? So a few might die to deny a pay rise for doctors, so what?

Just sack them. Give their jobs to immigrants, which is exactly what people want, innit?

How many BMWs and Benz and Audis in the doctor reserved parking spaces in hospitals?