Consultant doctors in England are set to stage a two-day strike from November 25, 2026, over pay and working conditions, with the action expected to disrupt routine and planned National Health Service (NHS) services.
The walkout will begin at 6:59 am GMT, with consultants providing emergency care only under an arrangement known as “Christmas Day cover”. The action is likely to affect a wide range of non-emergency and elective services.
Also read: WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free after patient’s evacuation
The announcement follows a month of discussions between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA), after union members voted in July in favour of industrial action.
Consultants, who are among the most senior doctors in the NHS, received a 3.5 per cent pay increase this year. However, the BMA argues that their pay has fallen by about a quarter over the past 17 years when inflation is taken into account.
The union is demanding a reduction in the standard working week from 40 to 35 hours, increased pay for out-of-hours work and changes to pension arrangements, including greater flexibility over when pensions can be taken.
In a joint statement, BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said they had tried to negotiate with the government in good faith but believed ministers had repeatedly delayed addressing their concerns.
“Unfortunately, that road has now run out, and we have been forced to announce strikes,” they said.
The union leaders added that consultants took their responsibilities seriously and did not strike lightly, but said doctors were increasingly frustrated with the situation.
According to the BBC, consultants’ average earnings exceed £150,000 annually. Basic salaries range from £113,500 to £150,500 for the most experienced doctors, while many receive additional payments and awards.
In the strike ballot, 76 per cent of participating consultants voted in favour of industrial action. Just over half of eligible BMA members took part in the vote.
The government argued that the result represented only around one in five consultants employed by the NHS in England, noting that nearly half of consultants were not members of the BMA.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government had held constructive discussions with the union but described the announcement of strike dates as disappointing.
She warned that industrial action would be irresponsible and could place the health service under greater pressure.
The government estimates that meeting all the BMA’s demands would cost between £2bn and £3bn annually.
The planned action comes as consultants and other doctors are also due to take part in strike action in Northern Ireland during November.
Consultants last went on strike in England in 2023. Meanwhile, the long-running dispute involving resident doctors in England ended earlier this year after more than three years of intermittent industrial action.
Also read: WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free after patient’s evacuation
The November walkout is expected to renew concerns about disruption to NHS services, particularly routine appointments and planned procedures that may be affected while consultants provide emergency cover only.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
