Senior hospital doctors in England will strike on November 25 and 26 over pay and working conditions, the British Medical Association announced on October 26. The union plans a 48-hour walkout from 06:59 GMT on November 25 until the same time on November 27, with emergency cover maintained at Christmas Day staffing levels.
The dispute has run since May 2025, and members backed industrial action in July. NHS Employers confirmed that discussions involving the government, unions and employer representatives had continued since July without agreement on next steps. BBC reporting said routine appointments and planned treatments were likely to face major disruption.
Consultants received a 3.5% pay rise this year, according to the BBC, but the BMA says their earnings have fallen by 25% in real terms over 17 years. It wants a shorter standard working week, better recognition of demanding out-of-hours duties and protected time for teaching and improving services. The union links these demands to burnout and retaining experienced doctors.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed disappointment, saying discussions had been constructive and warning that strikes would increase pressure during winter, Sky News reported. The BBC reported a government estimate that meeting the union's demands in full would cost between £2 billion and £3 billion annually. That figure is the government's assessment, rather than an agreed settlement cost.
NHS Employers chief executive Ben Morrin acknowledged concerns about pay, hours and the pay review body, but warned that November action would weaken hospital teams ahead of winter. He urged the union to resume talks and said employers must be clear about available funding while focusing on the safest possible care if strikes proceed.
The BMA says a walkout remains avoidable if the health secretary commits to adequately funded formal negotiations on pay and conditions. Its notice says formal strike notifications will follow. Emergency services are to remain covered, while the scale of disruption to scheduled care will depend on whether talks produce a resolution before the announced dates.
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