United Kingdom Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has condemned a new five-day strike by resident doctors in England as “dangerous and utterly irresponsible”, urging them not to abandon patients as the walkout began at 07:00 on Wednesday.
The British Medical Association says the strike is driven by long-term pay erosion and a shortage of training opportunities, calling for a “genuinely long term plan” on pay and new specialty training places “rather than recycled ones”.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer told doctors, “Don’t abandon patients, work with us to improve to conditions and rebuild the NHS.” Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of lacking the resolve to stop strikes, saying he had lost control to trade unions.
BMA resident doctor leader Dr Jack Fletcher said at a London picket line: “We’re here yet again, because we have not yet reached a credible deal to fix this absurd jobs crisis.” He added: “What we’re asking for is to stop these real-term pay cuts that the government is recommending for doctors.”
This is the 14th walkout in the dispute, after last-minute talks collapsed on Tuesday. Resident doctors—nearly half of the NHS medical workforce—are striking from both emergency and non-urgent care, with senior doctors providing cover.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he “deeply regretted” the timing ahead of Christmas, warning some hospitals were already “dicey”. He said pay talks were “too far apart” and estimated the strikes would cost £250m.
NHS England warned of disruption to some services amid high flu admissions, though urgent and emergency care will remain available.
The BMA insists patient safety will be maintained, saying: “We will be in close contact with NHS England throughout the strikes to address safety concerns if they arise.”
