Overview
- England’s five-day resident doctors’ walkout runs from 7am Friday to 7am Wednesday, with trusts reporting roughly 95% of planned activity maintained.
- NHS chief executive Sir James Mackey says early indications show fewer doctors striking than in any of the previous 12 rounds since 2023.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting urges doctors to cross picket lines and faults BMA leaders for rejecting a package that covered exam fees and accelerated expansion of training places.
- Safety derogations in Nottingham required resident doctors back to emergency and labour wards, drawing a public dispute between the BMA and Nottingham University Hospitals.
- NHS leaders warn continued action could force service cuts and further delays after earlier strikes cost about £300m and led to tens of thousands of cancellations.