Junior Doctors to Take the NHS by Storm – The Largest Strike Yet
Who: British Medical Association (BMA) junior doctors and the government’s Health Minister, Victoria Atkins.
What: After weeks of negotiations that fell short, junior doctors have voted to walk out on December 20, 23, January 3, and 9. The plan is to strike for six consecutive days in January – the longest period of NHS action in history.
Why: The government offered a 3% pay rise on top of the 8.8% increase already granted earlier this year. That partial bump feels more like a consolation prize than a real solution, leaving many doctors dashing for a full pay boost.
What the doctors say:
- “We need a credible offer, not a piecemeal 3% that still leaves many of us underpaying. The government’s offer feels like a slap to the face after fifteen years of pay cuts.”
- “We’ve been clear and firm: if an honest deal isn’t on the table by the deadline, we’ll take action.”
- “No strikes are inevitable unless the offer gets better. We’re ready to talk at any moment, even on the brink of a strike.”
Health Secretary’s View:
Victoria Atkins says the government’s “provides a fair offer to consultants” and will “immediately come back to the table” if the junior doctors cancel their walkouts. She warns that additional picket lines could harm patient care and perilously strain the winter period.
Bottom line: Who ends up in the hospital room?
— Is it the NHS’s ever‑focused “fix the wait‑list crisis” or a stricken workforce fighting for their own pay? Only time tells.
