Hospital administrators have issued a caution that NHS procedures may need to be postponed well into the upcoming year due to a five-day strike by doctors leading up to the holiday season. Despite this, doctors participating in the strike across the nation have emphasized that their aim is to enhance patient care and retain healthcare professionals within the NHS instead of seeking opportunities abroad.
The Health Secretary has declined to raise the proposed pay increase of 5.4% for 2025/26, sparking a contentious dispute with the leadership of the British Medical Association. Nick Hulme, CEO of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, expressed concerns about maintaining service continuity during this challenging period, acknowledging that operational cancellations may extend into the new year.
Approximately 70,000 medical procedures and appointments are at risk of being canceled this week, leaving many patients uncertain about the rescheduling of their treatments throughout the holiday season. Dr. Layla McCay, representing the NHS Confederation, highlighted the expected impact of the strikes on waiting lists, indicating that the disruptions caused could persist well into January and beyond.
Dr. Shivam Sharma, joining striking doctors outside St Thomas’ hospital in London, emphasized the critical need for better job prospects and remuneration for healthcare professionals. The NHS Confederation has urged the British Medical Association and Wes Streeting to engage in independent mediation to resolve the escalating dispute, now in its 33rd month and the 14th strike since 2023.
The British Medical Association is advocating for a 26% pay increase over the coming years, citing significant salary erosion since 2008 based on the Retail Price Index measure of inflation. In contrast, the Government’s preferred Consumer Price Index shows a 5% decrease in average resident doctor salaries since 2008. Mr. Streeting defended the recent pay rise, highlighting the improving real-term pay for doctors and the inclusion of measures to prioritize training for local doctors.
Efforts to address training bottlenecks and increase speciality training roles have been met with resistance from the British Medical Association, which labeled the proposed roles as “recycled.” The Government’s offer also aimed to alleviate doctors’ training costs by covering mandatory examination and membership fees.
Daniel Elkeles, CEO of NHS Providers, stressed the urgency of resolving the impasse through external mediation to avoid further disruptions caused by the ongoing strikes. Resident doctors are striking amid a surge in hospitalizations due to flu season, prompting concerns about the additional strain on healthcare workers and the delivery of essential services.
Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, disputed claims of an unprecedented flu crisis made by Wes Streeting, highlighting that the current situation is within the typical winter pressures experienced annually. The ongoing shortage of doctors in the NHS has exacerbated the healthcare system’s challenges, with frontline workers struggling to meet patient demand.
