Resident doctors launch six-day strike

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has accused the British Medical Association of 'hypocrisy,' noting that the union's own staff are striking over a lower pay offer.

The BMA maintains that the current 3.5 per cent pay increase for 2026-27 is insufficient to address years of real-terms pay erosion.

Hospital trusts have urged patients to avoid A&E departments unless facing life-threatening emergencies, as thousands of appointments and surgeries are being canceled.

The strike comes at a time of extreme pressure on the NHS, with waiting lists for specialist care at record levels.