Thousands of resident doctors across England have launched a five-day strike over pay, marking the 13th industrial action since March 2023.
The walkout began at 7am on Friday, prompting warnings from health leaders that the NHS may need to cut frontline staff and reduce appointments and operations if strikes continue.
The NHS Confederation and NHS Providers, which represent health trusts, said ongoing industrial action is adding pressure to already-stretched budgets. The last strike in July was estimated to have cost the NHS £300 million.
“Patients would face longer waits for care, and many may be unable to work without the treatment they require,” the organisations said. They also highlighted the impact on efforts to reduce waiting lists, which had shown early signs of improvement in September after three months of consecutive rises.
During the previous strike, over 54,000 procedures and appointments were cancelled or rescheduled, despite 93% of planned NHS activity being maintained.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “There is no doubt that patients will bear the brunt of this disruption, with tens of thousands of tests, appointments and operations likely to be delayed or cancelled. NHS leaders understand how frustrating this will be for them, being left waiting in pain or discomfort, not knowing when their treatment will be rescheduled. With flu already beginning to bite, there is a real risk that these strikes will leave the NHS limping into a very difficult winter at a time when it is trying to recover performance and implement vital long-term reforms.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has refused to increase pay for resident doctors, citing an almost 30% rise over the past three years. The British Medical Association (BMA), however, maintains that doctors require a 26% pay increase to restore real earnings after inflation.
On Thursday, the BMA said doctors must not be called off picket lines to cover planned NHS work during the strike. The union confirmed it would not agree to “derogations” – where doctors are asked to work despite striking – unless NHS trusts have already cancelled planned activity and incentivised other medics to provide cover.
NHS England has urged patients to continue seeking care and attending any scheduled appointments unless informed otherwise. Those requiring emergency assistance should continue to use 999 or attend A&E, while NHS 111 and GP services remain available as usual.
