Doctors across England are bracing for another round of industrial action as the British Medical Association (BMA) has announced a five-day strike by resident doctors, set to begin at 7am on December 17, 2025, and conclude at 7am on December 22, 2025. This latest walkout, landing just days before Christmas, is the fourteenth such strike since March 2023 and promises to bring significant disruption to hospitals and healthcare services throughout the country, according to BBC and Sky News.
Resident doctors—previously known as junior doctors—make up nearly half of the medical workforce in England. They include professionals ranging from fresh medical school graduates to those with almost a decade of experience. These doctors are responsible for both emergency and routine care, and during the strike, senior doctors will be called in to provide essential cover. However, health leaders warn that this backup will be stretched thin, especially as the winter season brings rising cases of flu and increased staff sickness, putting the National Health Service (NHS) under even more strain.
The BMA, which represents the interests of doctors in the UK, says the strike is a direct result of the government’s “failure to make a credible offer on jobs or pay.” Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, made the union’s position clear: “With the government failing to put forward a credible plan to fix the jobs crisis for resident doctors at the same time as pushing a real terms pay cut for them, we have no choice but to announce more strike dates.” He added, “However, these do not need to go ahead. Gradually raising pay over a few years, and some common-sense fixes to the job security of our doctors, are well within the reach of this government.”
This ongoing dispute has its roots in a long-standing disagreement over pay and working conditions. The government contends that it has already offered a substantial deal to resident doctors, including a 28.9% pay rise over the past three years, the creation of more jobs, and financial support to help with out-of-pocket expenses such as exam fees. Health Secretary Wes Streeting insists that the government’s offer is fair, stating, “After a 28.9% pay rise, the government offered to create more jobs and put money back in resident doctors’ pockets. The BMA rejected it out of hand, refused to put the offer to its members, blocking a better deal for doctors.”
Streeting has not minced words in his criticism of the BMA’s tactics, accusing the union of deliberately timing the strike to inflict maximum disruption. “The BMA have clearly chosen to strike when it will cause maximum disruption, causing untold anxiety,” he said, as reported by BBC. “Patients and NHS staff deserve better than this cynical attempt to wreck Christmas.” He further urged resident doctors to “stand up to the BMA and say that enough is enough,” arguing, “These strikes are in no one’s interest and there is no moral justification for them.” In a particularly pointed remark, Streeting accused the BMA of trying to turn doctors “into the Grinch who stole Christmas.”
Despite the government’s claims of significant pay increases, the BMA maintains that resident doctors’ pay is still lagging behind. The union argues that, once inflation is accounted for, doctors’ pay is actually a fifth lower than it was in 2008. This, they say, has created a jobs crisis and contributed to low morale across the profession. The BMA has also rejected the government’s latest offer, saying it falls short of addressing their core demands for pay restoration and job security.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals across England, described the timing of the strike as “an inflammatory act by the BMA.” He emphasized the challenges hospitals face during the festive period, noting, “Everyone knows in the run-up to Christmas we need all hands on deck. It’s really important to be able to discharge as many patients as possible so that where appropriate they can be at home with their loved ones. It’s totally unfair to patients and to other staff working for the NHS. Both sides need to get back round the table to break the logjam.”
The pressure on NHS services is expected to be “intense,” according to Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation. He warned that the walkout could result in “thousands of cancelled appointments and operations.” The combination of higher patient demand during winter, staff absences due to illness, and the impact of the strike could stretch hospital resources to their limits.
The financial toll of these ongoing strikes is also mounting. The summer walkout alone was estimated to have cost the NHS around £300 million, according to Sky News. November’s industrial action marked the thirteenth strike since March 2023, and now, with the December strike looming, the cumulative impact on both patient care and NHS finances is a growing concern for health leaders and government officials alike.
While the government asserts it will not return to the negotiating table over pay, the BMA has signaled that its mandate for strike action is set to expire in early January 2026. However, the union has announced plans to hold another ballot of its members, keeping the possibility of further industrial action alive into the new year.
The broader context of this dispute is one of deep frustration on both sides. Resident doctors argue that their pay and working conditions have eroded over time, making it difficult to recruit and retain staff. The government, for its part, points to the significant pay rises already awarded and insists that further increases are unsustainable in the current economic climate. Talks between the two parties broke down last month, paving the way for the December strike.
As the standoff continues, patients and NHS staff are left in a difficult position. The looming strike threatens to disrupt care at a time when hospitals are already under seasonal pressure, and the prospect of further action in the new year adds to the uncertainty. Both sides have called for a resolution, but for now, the dispute remains unresolved, with the potential for more upheaval on the horizon.
With the holiday season approaching, the timing of the strike has only heightened tensions. As Dr Fletcher noted, the union believes the government still has time to avert the walkout by addressing their concerns. Whether a last-minute agreement can be reached remains to be seen, but for patients and staff alike, the coming weeks will be a test of endurance and resilience within the NHS.
