Resident doctors across England begin five-day strike over pay dispute
On 14 November 2025, thousands of resident doctors across England commenced a five-day strike at 07:00, marking the 13th walkout since March 2023. The British Medical Association (BMA) is demanding a 26% pay rise to restore earnings after inflation, while the health secretary counters that doctors have received nearly a 30% increase over the past three years.
NHS Confederation and NHS Providers have warned that the industrial action will increase pressure on budgets and could lead to a reduction in frontline staff, appointments, and operations. The previous strike in July resulted in an estimated £300 million cost to the NHS.
Waiting lists had shown a slight decrease in September after three months of increases, but the strikes risk delaying progress in reducing waiting times. During the last strike action, over 54,000 procedures and appointments were canceled or rescheduled, although the NHS maintained 93% of planned activity.
The BMA has refused to agree to derogations, which would allow doctors to leave picket lines to cover NHS work, unless trusts cancel planned activity and provide incentives for other medical staff to offer cover. NHS England continues to advise patients to seek care and attend planned appointments unless informed otherwise, with emergency services such as 999, A&E, and NHS 111 remaining available.
