Patients warned of disruption as doctors begin five-day English strike, with NHS leaders describing ongoing pressures as hospitals battle a renewed flu wave.
NHS England cautions that non-urgent services will be affected when the strike starts at 07:00 on Wednesday, amid a wave of influenza straining hospitals. This marks the 14th walkout by resident doctors, the updated term for junior doctors, in the long-running pay dispute.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticized the timing, saying the strike is designed to maximize disruption and endanger patients, while the British Medical Association (BMA) countered that it would work with NHS managers to safeguard patient safety.
The walkout followed last-minute talks on Tuesday afternoon, which the government called constructive but insufficient to halt the strike.
Resident doctors constitute nearly half of the NHS medical workforce. They will cease both emergency and non-urgent duties, with senior clinicians stepping in to provide cover.
In the two most recent strikes (July and November), NHS England reported that most non-urgent operations, such as hip and knee replacements, proceeded as planned. This time, NHS England warned that greater disruption is likely as hospitals juggle strike cover and flu-related pressures.
There are concerns that hospitals may struggle to discharge patients before Christmas as the staff on duty focus on strike management.
NHS Medical Director Prof Meghana Pandit acknowledged the challenge, noting record flu admissions for this time of year. She emphasized that teams would rally to maintain safe care and limit disruption, but warned that this round could affect more patients than previous ones and that staff providing cover would miss out on time with their families over the holidays.
Streeting said officials had worked up to the last minute to avert strike action, stressing that the pre-Christmas period is typically the NHS’s busiest time, and this year’s flu surge compounds the strain, placing extra burden on other NHS workers.
NHS England reaffirmed that GP services would remain open and that urgent and emergency care would be available. However, some disruption is anticipated. Notably, Cheltenham General Hospital’s emergency department will close for major emergencies during the strike (minor injuries will be treated there, with patients advised to go to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital instead).
For urgent but not life-threatening issues, the public is urged to use 111 online first. Emergency cases should still dial 999 or attend A&E as usual.
The strike proceeds despite a government offer made last week, which proposed more specialty training posts and coverage of certain out-of-pocket costs, such as exam fees.
Specialty training posts are highly competitive. This year, around 30,000 applicants vied for 10,000 positions, including some from abroad. Dr. Tom Twentyman, who missed out on an emergency medicine post, described the job hunt as an “absolute nightmare.” He now juggles locum shifts while applying for numerous short-term contracts nationwide, with one recent contract secured but not counting toward his training, forcing him to reapply next year.
On Monday, the BMA announced its members voted to continue the strike, rejecting the government offer. The union’s Dr. Jack Fletcher described the result as a strong mandate to push for more reforms, including expanded job creation and fairer pay.
Streeting has insisted that pay negotiations remain separate, noting that doctors have received roughly 30% in cumulative pay rises over three years. The BMA argues that real pay remains about 20% lower than in 2008 when inflation is accounted for.
Dr. Fletcher urged ministers to present a credible, long-term plan that would steadily raise pay and secure genuinely new positions, which could avert further strikes. The BMA also affirmed its commitment to patient safety and said it would stay in close contact with NHS England during the strikes to address any safety concerns.
