Consultants will walk out on 25 and 26 November 2026
Senior hospital doctors in England are set to strike for two days in November amid an ongoing dispute over pay, working conditions and the future of consultant roles.
The British Medical Association (BMA) announced that consultants will walk out on 25 and 26 November 2026, accusing the government of failing to make meaningful commitments to address their concerns.
The union said the strikes could be avoided if Health Secretary Yvette Cooper agrees to formal negotiations on pay and working conditions.
The dispute centres on the sustainability of consultant roles within the NHS.
The BMA has raised concerns about doctors’ wellbeing and the challenges of retaining experienced medical professionals.
Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, co-chairs of the BMA’s consultants committee, said consultants provide frontline care while also managing services, training future doctors and helping ensure patients receive appropriate treatment.
They accused the government of overlooking these responsibilities and failing to recognise the pressures facing senior doctors.
The committee also argued that stalled progress in reducing NHS waiting lists makes retaining experienced consultants increasingly important.
Consultants have been in dispute with the government for more than 18 months.
The BMA said it had proposed practical solutions during discussions but claimed ministers had repeatedly delayed addressing the issues.
Members voted in favour of a mandate for industrial action in July, allowing the union to proceed with plans for the November walkout.
The BMA has called for more protected time for consultants to teach and supervise junior doctors. It also wants changes to standard working hours and greater recognition for demanding out-of-hours duties.
The union highlighted differences in consultant pay between England and Ireland, claiming salaries in Ireland can be as much as double those offered in England.
The announcement follows the government’s recommendation of a 2.4% pay increase for doctors for the 2027/28 financial year. The proposal was submitted to the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration.
Ms Cooper said discussions between the government, NHS England and the BMA had been constructive.
She added that the government was working with NHS staff to prepare for winter, improve patient care and support the wider health service workforce.
The Health Secretary described the planned strikes as disappointing and urged the union to continue discussions rather than take industrial action during a challenging period.
Emergency cover will remain in place during the walkout, with hospitals expected to operate similarly to Christmas Day arrangements.
The strikes would mark the first consultant walkout in England since 2023, potentially placing additional pressure on hospitals as they prepare for winter demand.
Both sides now face renewed pressure to reach an agreement before the planned dates, with negotiations remaining central to avoiding disruption for patients and NHS services.
