Doctors’ strike latest: BMA was offered delay to protect NHS from ‘worst-case’ scenario, Streeting says

We’ve been asking for your views on the resident doctors’ strike action today and have just heard from Eshaan, a doctor who is taking part in the walkouts.

He says this is “about far more than pay” and is more focused on “protecting the NHS and the staff who keep it running”.

“Striking is not a decision we take lightly, but it has become a necessary one. Contrary to the narrative, hospitals are better staffed on strike days compared to bank holidays and weekends. 

“For too long, we’ve seen A&E waiting times regularly exceed 12 hours. 

“Patients are treated in hospital corridors. 

“People wait weeks for a GP appointment and months to see a hospital specialist.”

Offer ‘does nothing to address the wider crisis’

Eshaan says the government’s offer “failed to commit to pay restoration and, more importantly, did nothing to create more jobs”. 

“Instead, it temporarily repurposed some existing posts into training positions for this year. This will not improve staffing levels in hospitals or GP practices, nor will it increase the number of consultants that patients are waiting months to see.

“It does nothing to address the wider crisis facing the NHS.”

On the government’s proposal to prioritise UK-trained graduates over overseas doctors when applying for training posts, Eshaan says that this is already standard practise in other countries and should not be used “as a bargaining tool”.

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