Wes Streeting Warns Resident Doctors’ Strike Could Undermine the NHS
Let’s talk about something serious that’s making headlines again—resident doctors in England have announced a five-day strike starting on 25 July. The dispute? Pay. And at the center of the storm is Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who’s called the strike not only unreasonable but a dangerous move for the future of the NHS.
Now, here's the situation: the British Medical Association (BMA), representing these doctors, claims pay has fallen drastically since 2008. Even with the most recent increases—22% over two years and another 5.4% this August—they argue it’s still 20% down in real terms when adjusted for inflation using the Retail Price Index (RPI). The government disagrees, using the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which paints a less dramatic picture, suggesting a 5% fall instead.
Wes Streeting is walking a tightrope here. On one hand, he's trying to uphold public faith in a crumbling NHS system. On the other, he’s now warning that this strike could play directly into the hands of Nigel Farage and those who advocate for replacing the NHS with a U.S.-style insurance model. In Streeting’s words, the strike would be a “gift to Farage,” just when Labour is trying to bring waiting lists down and restore functionality.
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But doctors aren’t striking for nothing. A newly qualified doctor earns about £38,800 for an average 48-hour week, rising to around £44,400 in their second year, with a potential progression to roughly £70,000 after eight years. That may sound decent, but consider the debt they’re carrying from years of medical school, the high-interest student loans, irregular hours, and being sent to work all across the country—it’s no easy gig.
Streeting insists this strike is self-defeating, especially after what he claims is a nearly 29% increase in pay over three years. He also argues that failing to notify employers in advance—something the BMA is reportedly encouraging—would make managing patient safety even harder. He made it personal too, sharing that a family member of his is now expecting a phone call to postpone their much-needed operation due to the strike.
More than half a million NHS appointments and operations have already been disrupted by previous industrial action, and it’s clear that further delays are inevitable. The BMA, however, stands firm, insisting that doctors didn’t work through the pandemic just to take a long-term pay cut.
So, we’ve got a real standoff. The government says there’s no more room for pay negotiations. Doctors say they’re still earning less in real terms than they did 17 years ago. And somewhere in the middle are patients—many of them waiting in pain—wondering what’s going to happen next.
This isn’t just about wages; it’s about the sustainability of the NHS and whether the next generation of doctors will even want to stick around. One thing’s for sure: this battle isn’t just about numbers—it’s about values, priorities, and the kind of healthcare system we want for the future.
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