Resident Doctors in England Vote to Strike, Five-Day Walkout Scheduled for July 25
By: Erewunmi Peace
Resident doctors in England have voted overwhelmingly in favor of industrial action, with a five-day strike now scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 25, and end on Tuesday, July 30. The strike is the latest in a series of efforts by the British Medical Association (BMA) to push for pay restoration.
According to the BMA, over 27,000 junior doctors voted in favor of the strike during a recent ballot that saw a 90% approval rate, with a 55% voter turnout. The renewed mandate empowers the doctors’ union to continue strike actions until January 2026, if necessary.
“Resident doctors have been underpaid for over a decade. This strike is about fair pay and a functional healthcare system,” said Dr. Robert Laurenson, co-chair of the BMA’s Junior Doctors Committee.
What’s Behind the Strike?
The dispute centers around the doctors’ demand for a 29% pay increase to counter what they say is a real-terms pay cut of over 25% since 2008. Though the UK government has offered incremental raises (including 5.4% this year and a previous 22% adjustment), the BMA insists this falls short of restoring wages to pre-austerity levels.
Impact on Healthcare Services
The planned strike is expected to place further strain on the National Health Service (NHS), already dealing with patient backlogs, staff shortages, and mounting pressure. Thousands of appointments, surgeries, and routine check-ups may be postponed or canceled.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the action
“completely unreasonable” and accused the BMA of jeopardizing NHS recovery.
Public Opinion Is Shifting
While previous strikes enjoyed strong public support, recent polls show that support is waning, with growing concern about the disruption to critical care. Nonetheless, many still sympathize with the doctors’ call for better wages and working conditions.
What Patients Should Know
Check with your local GP or hospital: Confirm whether appointments will proceed or be rescheduled.
Emergency care will still be available: Hospitals will prioritize critical cases.
Expect delays in non-urgent services, especially between July 25–30.
The July strike signals continued unrest in the UK’s healthcare system. With tensions rising between medical professionals and the government, all eyes will be on how this five-day action unfolds — and whether it leads to meaningful negotiations.
