Doctors’ strikes have cost the NHS over £3 billion in the past three years, as a fresh six-day walkout by resident doctors in England began today.
The industrial action started at 7am, affecting hospitals nationwide. Strikes lead to cancelled procedures and often require hospitals to pay consultants up to £313 per hour to cover essential shifts, putting a significant financial strain on the health service.
Health experts estimate the cost of industrial action could reach £50 million per day. This latest strike marks the 15th round of walkouts by resident doctors in England since 2023. According to the Mail, the £3 billion lost could have funded three new hospitals, 75,000 nurses for a year, over one million operations, or 15 million outpatient appointments.
NHS England has urged patients to attend appointments as usual unless they are contacted otherwise. Professor Ramani Moonesinghe said on Monday: “We know this round of industrial action will be difficult, coming straight after the Easter weekend, but patients should come forward as normal and attend any appointments unless they are contacted otherwise.”
The strike is particularly challenging due to short notice and its timing during the Easter holiday, when many NHS staff are already on leave. Urgent and emergency care will continue as normal, with NHS England aiming to maintain as much pre-planned care as possible.
The government’s latest offer, published last month by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, included a 4.9% rise in average basic pay for 2026. This would have left resident doctors 35.2% better off than four years ago, according to Mr Streeting. The offer also initially included 1,000 additional training places, but these were removed last Thursday due to financial and operational constraints amid ongoing industrial action.
The British Medical Association’s (BMA) resident doctors committee rejected the offer. Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the committee, said the government had “quietly watered down” the deal. “Resident doctors are as keen as he is to bring an end to the strikes, but his Government needs to put an offer on the table that we can accept and which doesn’t change at the last minute,” he added.
Mr Streeting described the strike as “disappointing” and emphasised efforts to protect patients and staff. Writing in the Daily Express, he stated: “Strikes will mean some cancelled appointments, but the Government is working with NHS teams across the country to minimise disruption and ensure people can access the care they need.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of BMA staff are already on strike following a 48-hour industrial action that began on Monday. Senior medics are also expected to be balloted on industrial action after a 3.5% pay award was announced by ministers. Ballots for consultants and specialist, associate specialist, and specialty (SAS) doctors will run from May 11 to July 6.