On November 14, 2025, Jack Fletcher, Chair of the Resident Doctors Committee of British Medical Association announced that England’s resident doctors will walk out for five straight days, from 7:00 AM GMT on Friday to 7:00 AM GMT on Wednesday. The strike, defined as Resident Doctors Strike 2025England, comes after a week of dead‑locked talks with the National Health Service and the UK government over a soaring unemployment crisis and a modest pay‑raise demand.
Background: Resident Doctors and the NHS Crisis
Resident doctors in England—clinicians with anywhere from one to eight years of hospital experience, or up to three years in general practice—make up roughly 20 % of the NHS medical workforce. A BMA‑commissioned survey released in October 2025 revealed that half of all second‑year doctors were without a permanent contract, a figure that translates to about 7,500 trainees idle in the system.
"We’re watching qualified doctors sit on the sidelines while patients wait months for treatment," said Fiona McAllister, a senior consultant at St Thomas' Hospital. The ripple effect is obvious: empty wards, cancelled surgeries, and an ever‑growing waiting list that now exceeds 5 million appointments nationwide.
The BMA’s Pay Proposal and Government Response
During the negotiations that ran from 17 to 24 October, the BMA put forward a tiered plan: a gradual reversal of the austerity‑driven pay cuts introduced in 2022, coupled with a £1.00‑per‑hour increase for newly qualified doctors each year from 2025 through 2029. Fletcher described the offer as "reasonable and in the best interests of patients".
Instead, the Health Secretary, Sarah Patel, sent what the BMA called an "11th‑hour letter" on 24 October. The correspondence promised a vague "review of training placements and employment pathways" slated for 2027, without any concrete salary figures. "It feels like a promise on a postcard," Fletcher added, noting that the government's stance left little room for immediate relief.
- Current pay cut: 4 % reduction since 2022
- Proposed raise: £1.00 per hour for new doctors, 2025‑2029
- Unemployment rate among second‑year doctors: 50 %
- Estimated patients affected by staffing gaps: 2 million per month
Details of the Five‑Day Strike
The strike will be a full work stoppage across every NHS trust in England. Emergency departments are exempt only where legally mandated, meaning routine appointments, elective surgeries, and inpatient rounds will halt from the early morning of the 14th until the morning of the 19th. The BMA has warned that the disruption could push waiting times beyond the current 18‑month average for non‑urgent procedures.
"We’re not taking this lightly," said Dr. Fletcher. "If the Government refuses to address the crisis, the only lever left is collective action that makes the cost of inaction crystal clear."
Doctors have been instructed to notify their supervisors by 5 PM on Thursday, 13 November, and to hand in written notices of intent to strike. Trade unions representing nurses and allied health professionals have expressed solidarity, though they are not officially part of the BMA‑led walkout.
Reactions from Stakeholders
The Health Secretary defended the government's position, emphasizing fiscal constraints and the need for a "long‑term strategy". "We are committed to improving training pathways, but we must balance that with the broader public finances," Patel told Parliament on 25 October.
Patient advocacy groups, such as HealthWatch England, issued a mixed message: they condemned the unemployment figures but urged the strike to be a "last resort". "Patients cannot afford another wave of cancellations," said its director, Emma Clarke.
Labour MP James O'Connor called for an emergency parliamentary debate, labeling the situation "a national emergency that threatens the core of our health system".
Potential Impact on Patients and Services
Experts from the King's Fund predict that the five‑day shutdown could add roughly 1.2 million lost appointment slots, translating into an extra 2–3 weeks of waiting for many elective procedures. Rural hospitals, already short‑staffed, may divert emergency cases to larger trusts, further straining ambulance services.
"If we lose a week of regular ward rounds, the backlog doesn't just pause—it multiplies," warned Prof. Alan Hughes, a health economics professor at University College London. He projected an additional £45 million in indirect costs, factoring in delayed diagnoses and extended hospital stays.
What Comes Next?
Both sides have left the door open for a final round of talks before the strike begins. The BMA says a "credible offer" from the Department of Health and Social Care could halt the walkout, but insists any deal must include immediate employment guarantees and a clear pay trajectory.
If negotiations fail, the strike will proceed as planned, and the NHS may need to activate contingency plans that include bringing in retired doctors and private sector staff. The public, meanwhile, is urged to monitor local hospital alerts for service changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the strike affect emergency care?
Emergency departments will remain open where legally required, but staffing shortages may lengthen wait times and increase ambulance diversions, especially in rural trusts.
What does the £1.00 per hour raise mean for new doctors?
At current entry‑level salaries of around £31,000, a £1.00 hourly increase adds roughly £2,080 annually, a modest boost intended to make NHS posts more attractive compared with private sector offers.
Why are half of second‑year doctors unemployed?
The BMA points to a combination of reduced training posts, budget cuts, and a backlog in contract processing that leaves thousands of newly qualified doctors without permanent posts.
Could the strike be averted at the last minute?
Both the BMA and the Department of Health have signaled willingness to meet, but any deal must address immediate job placement and a clear pay roadmap; without that, the walkout is likely to go ahead.
What precedent exists for doctor strikes in the UK?
The last nationwide doctors' strike occurred in 2016 over junior doctor contracts. That action lasted two days and led to a government‑brokered settlement that included modest pay adjustments and extra training slots.
