Doctors in England are planning to go on strike leading up to the holiday season. Resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, are scheduled to begin their strike from 7 am on December 17 until December 22, following a previous five-day walkout. The British Medical Association (BMA) cited the government’s failure to present a satisfactory proposal on job security and wages as the reason for the strikes. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, expressed concerns about the lack of a credible plan to address the job crisis and the proposed pay cut for resident doctors. He emphasized the need for gradual pay increases and practical solutions to ensure doctors’ job security.
The BMA highlighted a recent increase in job shortages, which has exacerbated the current situation. Resident doctors, who constitute nearly half of the medical workforce, are at various stages of their careers, from recent graduates to those with approximately ten years of experience. During the strike period, resident doctors will abstain from providing emergency and routine care, with senior doctors stepping in to cover their responsibilities. The BMA emphasized the urgency for the government to intervene and address the ongoing challenges to prevent further disruptions in healthcare services.