Overview
- Resident doctors walked out from 7am on November 14 until 7am on November 19 in their 13th strike since March 2023.
- Patients are urged to attend appointments unless told otherwise, use NHS 111 for urgent advice, and call 999 for life‑threatening emergencies.
- The BMA demands a 26% pay uplift and more training posts, highlighting roughly 30,000 applicants for about 10,000 places and refusing routine derogations unless planned work is cancelled and alternative cover is arranged.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting says doctors have received a 28.9% pay rise over three years, will not reopen pay talks, and accuses BMA leaders of choosing confrontation; he says he is seeking reforms to training post access.
- Health leaders warn the strike could cost the NHS about £240m to £300m, force delays or cancellations, and risk cuts to staff and services if budgets are not topped up.