The fallout from a five-day walkout by resident doctors in England is expected to cripple NHS services well into the new year, senior health figures have cautioned. The warning comes as the health service contends with a surge in seasonal flu and other winter illnesses, with officials describing the timing of the industrial action as the "worst" possible.
Disruption to Stretch for Weeks
Health Secretary Wes Streeting issued an apology to patients as the strike, centred on disputes over jobs and pay, commenced. He stated the Government had exhausted all avenues to prevent the walkout, including last-minute discussions with the British Medical Association (BMA) on Tuesday. While efforts are underway to mitigate the impact, Mr Streeting conceded significant disruption is inevitable during this peak period for the NHS.
Dr Layla McCay of the NHS Confederation provided a stark assessment, telling Sky News that healthcare leaders anticipate the consequences will reverberate for months. "The disruption that is being caused this week will be felt all the way into January and beyond," she said, highlighting a particular knock-on effect for already lengthy waiting lists.
Calls for Mediation to Break 'Impasse'
With the deadlock between the Government and doctors' union showing no sign of breaking, hospital chiefs are pleading for both sides to engage external mediators. Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, expressed frustration at the escalating acrimony, telling Times Radio the situation had reached an "impasse".
He urged for immediate action, stating: "If external mediation is the thing that will unlock it, then please, can we get on and do it?" The conciliation service Acas confirmed it is prepared to assist in resolving the dispute.
The call for talks follows the BMA's rejection of a latest Government offer on Monday. The proposed deal focused on expanding specialist training posts and covering exam fees, but did not include additional pay. Meanwhile, resident doctors in Wales have voted to accept a new contract.
Financial and Operational Strain
Mr Streeting informed MPs that the current strike is estimated to cost the health service approximately a quarter-of-a-billion pounds. He warned the weeks following the industrial action would be "really challenging," despite efforts to maintain services.
Hospitals have been instructed to aim for 95% of usual activity during the strike, but health leaders acknowledge this target is made "more challenging" by winter pressures. In a rare exemption, some BMA members at Nottingham University Hospitals' maternity unit have been permitted to return to work due to "unique and difficult circumstances".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the strikes at PMQs, labelling them "dangerous and utterly irresponsible," and called on doctors not to abandon patients. From a London picket line, Dr Jack Fletcher of the BMA's resident doctors committee reiterated his willingness to negotiate, stating: "I do not want to take industrial action, I do not take this lightly."
