Overview
- The BMA confirmed a walkout from 7am on 17 December to 7am on 22 December after members voted to proceed.
- Roughly 83% of participating resident doctors rejected the deal on a turnout of about 65%, according to the union.
- The government proposal offered thousands of additional speciality training posts, reimbursement of exam fees and priority for UK graduates but no increase in headline pay.
- NHS England reported an average of about 2,660 flu patients in hospital each day in early December, a rise of more than 55% week on week, as trusts were told to try to retain around 95% of planned care.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the timing and urged doctors to work, while a recent YouGov poll found roughly 58% of the public oppose the strike.