Resident doctors in England set for five-day December strike, BMA announces

Resident doctors in England will go on strike for five consecutive days in the run-up to Christmas, the British Medical Association (BMA) has announced.

The walkout will take place from 7am on December 17 until December 22.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the move as “cynical”, and accused the union of attempting to turn medics “into the Grinch who stole Christmas”.

He added that his “door has always been open” and that he stands ready “to do a deal that puts patients first this Christmas”.

Experts expect pressure on services to be “intense” amid surging flu cases and staff sickness, but medics say they have been left with “no choice”.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, said: “With the Government failing to put forward a credible plan to fix the jobs crisis for resident doctors at the same time as pushing a real terms pay cut for them, we have no choice but to announce more strike dates.

“However, these do not need to go ahead. Gradually raising pay over a few years and some common-sense fixes to the job security of our doctors are well within the reach of this Government.

“It would ensure both the long-term strength of our healthcare workforce and spare the country the indignity of see unemployed doctors at a time patients are queuing up to even see a GP.

“This month we’ve seen the full farcical extent of the jobs crisis, with second-year doctors applying for training posts being asked to provide evidence of experience well beyond what would have previously been asked of them.

“It is precisely this sort of situation which is driving doctors away from jobs and to the picket line. But it is not too late for Government to get a grip on the situation.”

Previous resident doctor strikes took place from July 25 to 30 and November 14 to 19.

Last month’s industrial action was the 13th strike since March 2023, while the summer walkout was estimated to have cost the health service £300 million.

Mr Streeting said: “The BMA have clearly chosen to strike when it will cause maximum disruption, causing untold anxiety. Patients and NHS staff deserve better than this cynical attempt to wreck Christmas.

“After a 28.9% pay rise, the Government offered to create more jobs and put money back in resident doctors’ pockets. The BMA rejected it out of hand, refused to put the offer to its members, blocking a better deal for doctors.

“Now, without a single conversation with the Government, they’re threatening more strikes at the busiest time of the year.

“It’s time for resident doctors to stand up to the BMA and say that enough is enough. These strikes are in no one’s interest and there is no moral justification for them. Resident doctors should ignore the BMA’s attempts to turn them into the Grinch who stole Christmas.

“My door has always been open, I have never walked away from the table, and I stand ready to do a deal that puts patients first this Christmas.”

NHS Providers chief executive Daniel Elkeles described the move as “an inflammatory act by the BMA”.

“Everyone knows in the run-up to Christmas we need all hands on deck,” he said.

“It’s really important to be able to discharge as many patients as possible so that where appropriate they can be at home with their loved ones.

“We need to ensure there’s the hospital capacity too to deal with the additional demand that always comes at this time of year. That’s going to be even more challenging now.

“It’s totally unfair to patients and to other staff working for the NHS.

“Both sides need to get back round the table to break the logjam.”

Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said: “This will come as a devastating blow to health leaders who have only just navigated another round of walkouts.

“With winter now upon us, flu levels surging, and staff sickness expected to rise, pressure on services will be intense.

Mr Deighton added that the walkout will have a “huge impact” on patients and could likely lead to “thousands of cancelled appointments and operations”.

“Healthcare leaders will continue to do all they can to provide the best care possible and maintain patient safety during any periods of industrial action.

“They and would urge resident doctors to reflect on the impact of yet more strikes on patients against the difficult financial backdrop we’re operating in, and the generous pay rise that has already been offered to, a compromise solution that avoids overwhelming an NHS already buckling under immense pressure must be found urgently.”

Last week, the BMA announced it would be balloting its resident doctor members on extending its mandate for strike action, which runs out in January.

If the vote is successful, the mandate would extend to August 2026.

The ballot will run from December 8 until February 2.