Prime Minister Keir Starmer has branded the ongoing five-day strike by resident doctors in England as “dangerous” and “beyond belief,” warning it endangers patients during the NHS’s worst crisis since the pandemic. The action, launched on December 17, 2025, involves thousands demanding a 26-29% pay rise and comes as a super-flu outbreak overwhelms hospitals, forcing cancellations of operations and staff leave. This marks the 14th such walkout since March 2023, with the government estimating £250 million in costs and significant service disruptions.
Strike Details and NHS Impact
The strike by resident doctors—previously known as junior doctors—began today, targeting non-emergency care while keeping GP surgeries and A&E departments operational. Patients have been advised to attend appointments unless contacted otherwise, but elective procedures face widespread cancellations. This escalation occurs amid a flu surge that has already strained resources, with NHS leaders warning of delays in critical care.
Key Statistics on Pay Demands and History
- Doctors seek a 29% increase to restore pay to 2008 real-terms levels, eroded by inflation and training shortages.
- This is the 14th strike since March 2023, highlighting prolonged disputes over pay restoration.
- A government estimate pegs the financial hit at £250 million, exacerbating NHS operational pressures.
A prior survey revealed 38% of prospective medical students are less inclined to pursue careers due to ongoing strikes, signaling long-term recruitment risks for the health service.
Government Response: Strong Condemnation
Starmer, addressing the crisis directly, described the timing as “reckless” and urged doctors not to follow British Medical Association (BMA) leadership down a “damaging road.” He expressed being “gutted” by the decision, emphasizing that strikes during flu peaks jeopardize patients and force tough choices like axing Christmas leave for staff.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting echoed the Prime Minister, labeling the action “irresponsible” and vowing no “ransom” payments to the BMA. Streeting prioritized minimizing patient harm and signaled reduced future collaboration with the union on working conditions. The government has made last-minute pleas for talks, but rejected preconditions set by strikers.
Broader Political Context
Starmer also hit out at internal leaks criticizing doctors, calling them “completely unacceptable.” This comes after earlier warnings in July 2025 about potential strikes, where Streeting condemned similar actions by resident doctors demanding pay rises.
Union Stance and Justifications
BMA leaders defend the walkout as a stand against a “preventable jobs crisis” and real-terms pay cuts. Dr. Jack Fletcher dismissed government warnings as “scaremongering,” while co-chair Dr. Melissa Ryan highlighted frustration over stalled pay negotiations. The union argues the strike addresses systemic underfunding and training gaps, not just salary.
Public and Expert Reactions
Tony O’Sullivan from Keep Our NHS Public criticized the government’s confrontational approach as “irresponsible” given flu pressures, urging de-escalation. Public guidance emphasizes using NHS 111 or urgent care centers during the strike to avoid overwhelming emergency services.
Media coverage, including BBC and ITV reports, underscores the “beyond belief” timing amid flu hospitalizations. Online discussions, such as YouTube analyses, question why Starmer frames the strikes as uniquely patient-endangering.
Historical Pay Dispute Timeline
| Strike Number | Date | Duration | Key Demand | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-13 | Mar 2023 – Jul 2025 | Varies | 26-29% pay rise | Cumulative millions |
| 14 | Dec 17-21, 2025 | 5 days | Pay restoration to 2008 levels | £250m |
This table illustrates the persistent nature of the dispute, with today’s action as the longest recent walkout.
Implications for NHS and Patients
The inverted pyramid of this crisis places immediate patient risks at the forefront: disrupted elective care amid flu peaks could delay treatments for thousands. Mid-level concerns include staff burnout from covering shortages, while foundational issues like pay and recruitment loom for the NHS’s future. As the walkout unfolds through December 21, monitors will track hospitalization rates and service backlogs.
Streeting’s pledge to mitigate harm includes contingency plans, but experts warn of ripple effects on medical training. Prospective students’ waning interest—38% deterred—threatens a pipeline already hit by post-Brexit and pandemic factors.
Calls for Resolution
Both sides express willingness for talks, but preconditions differ. The BMA rejects resuming without pay commitments, while the government insists on unconditional return to work. Starmer’s rhetoric frames this as a pivotal moment, potentially reshaping NHS-industrial relations.
As flu cases climb described as a “super-flu outbreak” the strike tests the new Labour government’s health pledges. Resolution hinges on bridging the pay chasm amid fiscal constraints, with patients caught in the crossfire.
