Thousands of resident doctors in England commenced a five-day strike on Friday following a breakdown in negotiations between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the UK government over pay.
The industrial action, which began at 7am, is scheduled to last until 7am on Wednesday, July 30.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) said emergency departments would remain open during the strike, while hospitals and clinics would strive to honour as many scheduled appointments as possible.
Dr Trevor Smith, South West Regional Medical Director for NHS England, apologised for the disruption the strike would cause to health services.
“One of the important messages I want to convey is that the NHS remains open and is here to care for patients, particularly in emergencies. Patients with other urgent healthcare needs should contact NHS 111,” he said.
The walkout is the latest in a long-running pay dispute between junior doctors and the government.
The doctors are demanding a significant pay rise to offset what the BMA says is a 20 per cent real-terms pay cut since 2008.
Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chairs of the union’s resident doctors committee, said: “Pay erosion has now reached the point where a doctor’s assistant can earn up to 30% more than a resident doctor.”
However, the government insists that junior doctors have already received an average pay increase of 28.9 per cent and has ruled out further raises.
It said it remains open to discussing improvements in working conditions.
Earlier this year, the government approved a 5.4 per cent pay increase for junior doctors, following a 22 per cent rise over the previous two years.
But the BMA argues that wages remain around 20 per cent lower in real terms compared to 2008.
Reacting to the strike, Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the doctors to return to work.
“Most people do not support these strikes. They know they will cause real damage. Behind the headlines are patients whose lives will be blighted by this decision—the frustration and disappointment of delayed treatment, and worse, late diagnoses and care that could risk their long-term health,” Starmer said.
