English doctors return to work after five-day strike

Resident doctors in England are returning to hospitals today, marking the end of a five-day walkout.

Despite the return to work, the long-running dispute over pay and working conditions remains unresolved, with union members recently rejecting the government’s latest offer regarding job security and specialized training.

The British Medical Association (BMA) argues that current salaries are effectively 20% lower than they were in 2008 due to the rising cost of living.

Dr. Jack Fletcher, a leader within the union, warned that the UK is losing medical talent to other countries that offer better compensation and a more supportive professional environment.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed a desire to settle the conflict before the start of 2026.

However, he described the BMA’s request for an additional 26% pay increase as unaffordable. He committed to returning to the negotiating table in the new year to find a sustainable path forward for the health service.

The strike occurred during a challenging winter for the NHS, with over 3,000 patients currently hospitalized with the flu.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the timing of the walkout as “dangerous,” while the BMA maintained they worked closely with hospital bosses to ensure emergency patient safety during the industrial action.

Although England resumes normal operations for now, the focus of the dispute is shifting north.

Resident doctors in Scotland are currently preparing for their first-ever national walkout, scheduled for mid-January, signaling that the wave of industrial action across the UK health service is set to continue.

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