Doctors’ strikes in the NHS have escalated dramatically, fueled by disputes over pay, working hours, and job security. Resident doctors—previously known as junior doctors—now threaten fresh strike action after Easter 2026, marking the 15th round of strikes since 2023. Understanding how this crisis unfolded reveals deep-rooted frustrations within the NHS workforce.
The 2016 Contract Clash: The Spark That Ignited Prolonged Strikes
The current wave of industrial action traces back to January 2016, when the NHS faced its first all-out doctors’ strike since 1975. Then-Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt proposed a controversial new contract for junior doctors—those below consultant level—aimed at eliminating standard overtime pay while increasing base salaries.
Junior doctors saw this as a pay cut disguised as reform, sparking multiple strikes throughout 2016. Despite fierce resistance, a revised contract was eventually imposed, temporarily quelling the unrest.
From 2016 Calm to 2023 Resurgence: Pay Cuts Ignite a New Battle
For seven years, strike action subsided, but 2023 reignited tensions as doctors staged monthly strikes for five consecutive months starting in March under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration. The British Medical Association (BMA) highlighted a staggering 20-30% real-terms pay decline since 2008 and demanded full restoration of lost earnings.
Record-Breaking Strikes in Early 2024
In January 2024, doctors launched the longest strike in NHS history, lasting six days, protesting ongoing pay erosion. Another strike followed in February. The BMA then announced plans for another six-day walkout in June and July after Sunak called a general election.
Despite three months of negotiations, the BMA declared Sunak’s pay proposals lacked credibility, accusing the government of failing to address 15 years of pay decline. The July election brought Labour to power, who offered a 22% pay increase over two years. Resident doctors accepted this in September 2024, ending the immediate strike wave.
Notably, the term “junior doctors” officially transitioned to “resident doctors” during this period.
2025: Rising Tensions and New Strikes Amid Job Insecurity
The respite was brief. Pay restoration disputes persisted, compounded by severe bottlenecks in specialty training posts and growing employment insecurity for early-career doctors. Many complained of insufficient job availability, triggering three fresh strike rounds in July, November, and December 2025.
2026: Resident Doctors Threaten Another Six-Day Strike
As April 7, 2026, approaches, resident doctors plan a six-day strike, intensifying the ongoing conflict. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the BMA of rejecting a “historic deal” that included an additional 3.5% above-inflation pay rise this year, which would have increased their total pay rise since 2023 to 25.5%.
The BMA counters that global crises like the Iran conflict and soaring living costs continue to erode doctors’ real incomes, forcing many to seek work overseas. This exodus threatens the NHS’s ability to maintain a stable, skilled medical workforce.
What’s at Stake?
The ongoing strikes underscore a profound crisis in NHS staffing and funding. Resident doctors demand fair pay reflective of their critical role and seek secure career progression amid a strained healthcare system. Without resolving these core issues, strikes are likely to persist, impacting patient care nationwide.
