Five-Day Strike by Resident Doctors Begins Amid Pay Dispute and Training Post Shortages
A five-day strike by resident doctors began at 07:00 on Wednesday 17 December 2025, marking the 14th strike in a prolonged pay dispute. Senior doctors will cover emergencies and non-urgent care during the walkout. The British Medical Association (BMA) is demanding a genuinely long-term plan on pay and jobs, including guaranteed new specialty training posts.
Last-minute government-BMA talks were described as constructive but failed to make sufficient progress to call off the strike. Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the strike as dangerous and utterly irresponsible, urging doctors not to abandon patients.
NHS bosses have warned that some pre-booked services will be disrupted amid a surge in flu and winter illnesses. However, the BMA has stated that patient safety will be protected through cooperation with NHS managers and senior clinicians. Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned the strike is expected to cost about £250 million and cautioned about a challenging hospital situation. No breakthrough was reached after five hours of talks.
The strike highlights ongoing shortages in specialty training posts, with 30,000 applicants competing for only 10,000 posts. Resident doctors make up nearly half of NHS doctors, with many working as locums due to the lack of available training posts.
NHS England guidance states that GP practices will remain open, and urgent and emergency care will be available, although some disruptions are possible. Cheltenham General Hospital Emergency Department will close for emergencies during the strike, with NHS 111 online services advised for urgent but non-life-threatening issues. Emergency 999 and A&E services remain available.
