New Data Shows NHS Staff Pulled Out All The Stops To Keep Care Going During Previous Strikes

Responding to NHS England’s data showing the impact of the latest round of resident doctor strikes, Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said:

“This round of industrial action has been one of the most challenging for NHS staff due to the combination of rising flu levels, high staff sickness, ongoing pressures and planned annual leave. It’s also adding to the financial pressure the NHS is under as it costs over £200m each time to manage the strikes.

“Despite the costs and the extra work involved in terms of planning for and managing industrial action, it’s reassuring that the NHS has weathered the storm of these walk-outs. While thousands of tests, appointments and operations were cancelled, the NHS managed to keep the majority of services running. NHS leaders and their teams should also be praised for managing to get so many patients home for Christmas despite the early surge in flu cases.

“But the NHS is not out of the woods yet and the impact of these strikes will continue to be felt well into the new year. Appointments and operations will need to be rebooked and staff who filled rota gaps will need time off, while the pressure from flu and other winter viruses is likely to continue.

“This industrial action must not continue into 2026 using up scarce resources and impeding the progress needed to make inroads into reducing NHS waiting lists. The government and BMA must resume talks as soon as possible – through mediation if needed – and find a long-term solution to bring this to an end.”