Health Secretary Responds as Striking Doctors Plan November Walkout

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that resident doctors in England will strike for five consecutive days from 7am on November 14 to 7am on November 19, 2025. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions regarding pay and working conditions within the National Health Service (NHS).

Health Secretary Steve Streeting has stated that the government will not allow itself to be “held to ransom” by the striking medical professionals. He expressed concerns that the estimated £250 million cost of managing the strike action could hinder the availability of specialty training roles for doctors, potentially impacting their career progression.

In an interview on Sky News, Streeting noted that while there are “green shoots” of recovery within the NHS, the financial implications of the strikes could stall progress. He referenced improvements, such as reductions in waiting lists and increased patient satisfaction, but acknowledged the challenges posed by industrial action.

According to the latest official figures, approximately 7.41 million treatments were pending at the end of August, affecting around 6.26 million patients. This marked a slight increase from the previous month, indicating ongoing strain on the healthcare system.

Streeting elaborated on the impact of the strikes during a discussion on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. He explained, “Progress has stalled in the last few months for a couple of reasons. Firstly, we had industrial action by resident doctors, which set us back, as I feared it would.” He emphasized the need for the NHS to not only recover but to exceed current demands to improve patient care.

In a message directed at the BMA, Streeting highlighted the possibility of a deal that could enhance training opportunities for resident doctors. He expressed willingness to increase the number of specialty training places and provide support with exam fees. However, he stressed that such initiatives would be difficult to implement if significant funds are diverted to address the costs associated with the strikes.

Streeting stated, “There are choices and trade-offs here. What we will not do, however, is be held to ransom. I will not allow the costs of strikes to be inflicted on other NHS staff who are working constructively with us, or on patients in terms of the services that they receive.”

As the strike date approaches, the situation remains tense, with both the government and the BMA facing pressure to find a resolution that addresses the concerns of resident doctors while ensuring the continuity of care for patients across England.