Overview
- Resident doctors in England, who are early‑career physicians in training, began a near week‑long strike on Tuesday that runs until 13 April in the 15th round of walkouts since 2023.
- Sir Jim Mackey of NHS England said the action was deliberately timed after Easter to cause maximum disruption, with hospitals struggling to fill rotas while keeping urgent and emergency care running.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the BMA rejected a package with pay‑structure reforms, an average 4.9% basic rise, reimbursement of exam fees, and 4,000–4,500 extra specialty training posts, and he cited about £3 billion in cumulative strike costs.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for a legal ban on doctor strikes and for minimum service levels across the NHS, sharpening the political fight over how far to curb strike rights.
- YouGov polling conducted Tuesday found 55% of British adults oppose the doctors’ strike and 37% support it, underscoring public frustration as appointments are delayed and care is rescheduled.