The NHS has issued a warning to patients as doctor’s strike action kicked off again today (July 25). The industrial unrest, involving up to 50,000 resident (junior) doctors in England, is set to span five days, concluding at 7am on Wednesday, July 30.
It marks the 12th such walkout, with the medical staff continuing their row over pay. Despite a 5.4% salary hike granted by the government in 2024, following a 22% increase over the two preceding years, the British Medical Association (BMA) demands more, arguing that salaries remain 20% lower in real terms compared to 2008 levels.
Amidst the strikes, the NHS has proffered guidance concerning potential appointment disruptions. “Starting from 7am on Friday 25 July, some NHS services will be impacted due to strike action,” announced the health service on Instagram.
“You will be contacted if your appointment needs to be changed. Please continue to come forward for the care you need.” Public sentiment towards the strike is polarised, meanwhile.
One individual lambasted the perceived “greed” of NHS workers on Instagram, writing in response: “I feel so angry and upset for all those patients who get their appointments and procedures cancelled because of greed for even more money, so much for a vocation and dedication to their profession.”
Another concurred vehemently, stating: “Absolutely disgusting. They got a rise last year, now they want another, greedy people don’t want to work. People are dying, the waiting lists are extremely high, get back to work.”
While some UK residents are against the strike, others are clearly supportive, as one Instagram user outlined: “This is restoration pay to bring medics in line with what they should be paid after years of below inflationary pay rise.
“Don’t blame them for going on strike. Any of you any idea how many hours a week a medic works? Go and educate yourselves before you criticise.”
Whilst a second concurred: “Would you go to work, in an extremely stressful job, for less pay than what you deserve? You wouldn’t, so rest your mouth.”
Earlier this week, Health Secretary Wes Streeting lambasted the BMA’s resident doctors for choosing to strike, accusing them of “recklessly and needlessly opting for strike action” and showing a “complete disdain for patients”.
In a scathing address, he described the strike as “completely unjustified, completely unprecedented in the history of British trade unionism”.
However, the BMA has fired back, stating that the Government has not recognised the magnitude of the challenges facing medical professionals, especially after ministers declined to reopen pay discussions for the current year. The union emphasised: “We want to keep talking – but we don’t accept we can’t talk about pay.”