Thousands of junior doctors across England have launched a major five-day strike, with staff at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital among those on picket lines today. The industrial action, organised by the British Medical Association (BMA), began on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, and is scheduled to last until 7am on Monday, 22 December.
Deal Rejected by Overwhelming Majority
The walkout follows the decisive rejection of a new deal proposed by Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The offer focused on increasing the number of training places to help early-career doctors specialise sooner, but it did not include a pay rise for the current financial year. The proposal was put to a vote of the union's approximately 55,000 resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors.
The result was a clear refusal, with 83% voting against the deal and only 17% in favour. The turnout for the ballot was 65%, meaning 35,107 doctors participated in the decisive vote. The BMA stated the government's proposals were "too little, too late" to avert strike action.
Strike Hits During Peak Winter Pressure
The timing of the strike presents a significant challenge for the NHS, as it coincides with one of the busiest periods of the year and a severe flu outbreak. Rates of influenza have skyrocketed across the UK, driven by a hard-hitting new strain known as the K-strain or "subclade K".
This has led to a surge in hospital admissions, with the Birmingham area reported to be among the hardest hit. Medical professionals have warned that the peak of this flu wave is not yet in sight, adding immense pressure to services already stretched by the industrial action.
What Happens Next?
The five-day strike marks a significant escalation in the long-running dispute between junior doctors and the government over pay and conditions. With the current offer rejected and no new negotiations announced, the stalemate continues. The impact on hospital waiting times and elective procedures during this pre-Christmas period is expected to be substantial.
The focus now turns to whether the government and the BMA can re-enter talks to find a resolution before further disruption is planned. The coming days will test the resilience of NHS contingency plans as they manage both the strike and the escalating public health threat from the aggressive flu strain.
