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Protesting male doctor holding placard with word STRIKE and stethoscope on blue background

Why doctors are striking and how to get help if you need it

Granskad av Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPFörfattad av Thomas Andrew Porteus, MBCSUrsprungligen publicerad 7 Apr 2026

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When doctors take part in strike action, it can feel disruptive and, at times, confusing. Headlines often focus on cancellations and delays, but understanding why this is happening can make it easier to navigate.

At Patient we think it’s important to give a clearer, more balanced view - both of the reasons behind the strikes and what they mean in practice.

Why are doctors striking?

The current action is being led by resident doctors and organised by the British Medical Association. At the centre of the dispute is a long-running issue around pay, often referred to as “pay restoration”.

The BMA’s argument is that doctors’ pay has not kept pace with inflation since 2008. In real terms, they say, many doctors are earning significantly less than they were over a decade ago, despite the demands of the job increasing.

Their proposal is to restore pay to 2008-equivalent levels, which they estimate would require a substantial uplift over time.

But pay is only part of the story. Many doctors describe a wider set of pressures:

  • Increasing workload and patient demand.

  • Ongoing staff shortages across the NHS.

  • Burnout and retention challenges - with some doctors leaving the NHS or reducing hours.

From that perspective, the dispute is as much about the long-term sustainability of the workforce as it is about pay itself.

The government takes a different view. It argues that it has already delivered significant pay rises in recent years and must balance NHS pay with wider public spending constraints. There is also concern about setting precedents across other public sector roles.

This gap between a workforce arguing for restoration and a government focused on affordability is what has led to repeated rounds of strike action.

What does this mean for you?

During strikes, the NHS shifts its focus rather than stopping altogether.

Emergency and urgent care are prioritised and continue to run. What tends to be affected most is planned care things like routine appointments, follow-ups, and non-urgent procedures, which may be postponed or rearranged.

This can be frustrating, particularly if you’ve already been waiting. But the system is designed to make sure that those who need care most urgently are still seen.

Getting help during strike action

If you need medical advice or treatment, the most important thing is not to delay.

  • In an emergency - call 999 or go to A&E.

  • For urgent concerns - contact NHS 111 online or by phone.

  • For common conditions or medicine advice - your local pharmacist can often help quickly.

  • For routine issues - services may take longer, but support is still available.

You can also use trusted, clinically reviewed information to help understand your symptoms and decide what to do next.

Strikes are often the most visible sign of deeper pressures within the health system. Questions around pay, staffing, and sustainability don’t just affect doctors - they also shape how care is delivered and experienced by patients.

For now, the key message is simple: the NHS is still there for you.

Care may look slightly different, and some services may take longer, but if something doesn’t feel right, you should still seek help.

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Vanliga frågor

What specifically is the British Medical Association asking for regarding doctors' pay?

The British Medical Association (BMA) is asking for "pay restoration" to 2008-equivalent levels. Their argument is that doctors' pay has not kept pace with inflation, meaning in real terms, many doctors are earning significantly less than they were over a decade ago. They propose a substantial uplift over time to return pay to those levels, viewing it as essential for the long-term sustainability of the workforce.

What is the government's main counter-argument to the doctors' pay demands?

The government argues that it has already provided significant pay raises recently and needs to balance NHS pay with broader public spending limits. There is also a concern about setting a precedent for pay raises across other public sector jobs, which contributes to their focus on affordability.

What types of medical services are most likely to be affected by strike action?

During strike action, planned care is often most affected. This includes routine appointments, follow-ups, and non-urgent procedures, which may be postponed or rearranged. Emergency and urgent care are prioritised and continue to run.

Are doctors' strikes only about pay, or are there other factors involved?

While pay is a central issue, many doctors also cite a wider range of pressures. These include increasing workload and patient demand, ongoing staff shortages across the NHS, and challenges with burnout and retaining staff, with some doctors reducing hours or leaving the NHS.

Dessa frågor och svar har genererats från informationen i denna artikel.

Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Författarbild

Thomas Andrew Porteus, MBCS

Hälsoteknik

MBCS

Thomas skriver för att informera, inspirera och utrusta praktikledare och vårdpersonal som navigerar förändringar, med utgångspunkt i två decennier av praktiskt arbete inom det brittiska hälsosystemet.

Om recensentenVisa fullständig biografi

Författarbild

Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

Allmänläkare, Medicinsk Författare

MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH

Dr Colin Tidy är en NHS-läkare, baserad i Oxfordshire.

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