- Resident doctors have commenced a six-day walkout, marking their 15th round of industrial action, following the collapse of pay negotiations with the government.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged that patients will be left “waiting in pain or anxiety longer than is necessary” due to delayed appointments, though urgent and emergency care will continue.
- The British Medical Association (BMA) rejected a government offer that included a 4.9 per cent average basic pay increase from 2026-2027, while an offer for 1,000 extra training places was taken off the table last week.
- Mr Streeting criticised the BMA for rejecting the deal and then expecting its benefits, while Dr Jack Fletcher of the BMA accused the government of having “quietly watered down” its offer.
- The head of NHS England, Jim Mackey, is exploring alternative clinical models to reduce reliance on resident doctors if prolonged strikes continue, a move supported by Mr Streeting.
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