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Hospitals Maintain 99% of Operations Despite Doctors' Strike
15 Nov
Summary
- Hospitals able to carry out 99% of operations during strike
- Fewer resident doctors participating in strike compared to previous walkouts
- NHS England aims to cancel no more than 5% of planned appointments
As of November 15th, 2025, hospitals in the UK have been able to continue with 99% of their operations despite a 5-day strike by doctors. According to hospital bosses, fewer resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, are taking part in the walkout compared to previous strikes organized by the British Medical Association.
NHS England had instructed clinics to try to avoid cancelling more than 5% of planned appointments during the strike. This is a significant improvement from the last strike in July, when around 54,000 appointments were axed. Nick Hulme, chief of East Suffolk and North Essex hospitals, stated that they could stick to 99% of operations and 97% of appointments, reflecting a "higher level of people coming back" to work.
Daniel Elkeles, chief of NHS Providers on behalf of hospital managers, added that on average, only half of the resident doctors are taking industrial action, which is less than the previous strike. Many doctors seem to be saying, "I don't agree, I'm coming to work," indicating a changing mood among the medical staff.
This suggests that the NHS's goal of maintaining 95% of elective work during the strike is likely achievable, which is an important development. The resident doctors are demanding a pay rise of around 26% on top of a 29% increase they received last year, but Health Secretary Wes Streeting has accused the BMA of "holding patients to ransom" and "inflicting pain and misery."
