Thousands of Resident Doctors Begin Five-Day Strike Across England

Thousands of resident doctors in England began a five-day strike starting July 25 after pay negotiations with the government collapsed, marking their 12th walkout since March 2023. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a last-minute appeal urging doctors not to follow the British Medical Association (BMA) leadership down what he called a "damaging road," warning that the strikes would cause real harm to patients, NHS staff, and taxpayers, and threaten the progress made in rebuilding the NHS. Starmer emphasized that most people do not support the strikes, which could lead to delayed treatments, late diagnoses, and long-term health risks for patients. Health Secretary Wes Streeting also criticized the BMA leadership for failing to negotiate in good faith and expressed regret over the strike, while reaffirming his commitment to improving doctors' working lives despite being unable to promise a larger pay rise. NHS England assured the public that GP surgeries, urgent care, A&E, and NHS 111 services would remain operational during the strike, but healthcare leaders warned of significant disruption and blamed the BMA for the industrial action. The Conservatives accused Labour of enabling the strikes through previous concessions, highlighting the political tensions surrounding the ongoing dispute.