While most of us rely on doctors to be our calm in a crisis, those very doctors are now at the center of a heated national debate—one that’s asking big questions about their right to strike, their duty to care, and what comes first: the paycheck or the patient?
With the NHS already under pressure, the recent five-day strike by resident doctors in England (previously called junior doctors) has stirred strong opinions—and now, the conversation is heading straight to the top of the medical rulebook.
Calls Grow for Medical Regulator to Step In
The General Medical Council (GMC), the UK’s independent regulator for doctors, is being urged to take a stand.
The pressure is coming from the Conservative Party, who want the GMC to review whether striking is even compatible with the ethical standards doctors pledge to uphold.
In particular, they’re pointing to the GMC’s “Good Medical Practice” code, which clearly states that doctors must always put patient care first.
Shadow Health Secretary Stuart Andrew fired off a letter to the GMC’s chief, Charlie Massey, suggesting a major rethink of these guidelines.
Conservatives Push for an Immediate Ban on Strikes
The Conservative Party isn’t stopping with letters.
Party leader Kemi Badenoch has already promised that, if the Tories return to power, they’ll push through legislation to ban strikes by doctors entirely—putting them in the same category as police and military personnel, who aren’t allowed to walk out.
The idea is to introduce “minimum service levels” across the NHS—ensuring that even during strikes, basic patient care continues uninterrupted.
These service rules had previously been introduced for some sectors by the last Conservative government but were scrapped by the new Labour leadership.
NHS Staff Still in Talks—but the Pay Row Lingers
While tensions rise over legal rights and patient safety, both the Labour Government and the British Medical Association (BMA)—the union representing the doctors—say they’re still open to talks.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has signaled that while there’s no extra money on the table for pay, he’s ready to negotiate on working conditions, training access, and long-term career growth.
But BMA leaders are digging their heels in, insisting that pay still has to be part of the conversation.
They’re also raising concerns over a related issue: a shortage of training spots for doctors in the UK, which they believe could be a major roadblock to improving the system.
Doctors Defend Their Right to Strike
Dr. Tom Dolphin, who chairs the BMA council, had strong words in response to Tory threats to outlaw strikes.
“Doctors aren’t militants,” he said. “They’re professionals raising the alarm about a health service in crisis.”
He also pushed back against what he called an attempt to “silence the canary in the coalmine,” warning that banning strikes doesn’t solve the core problems plaguing the NHS.
The BMA stressed that doctors already follow strict emergency protocols during industrial action, including stepping in when there’s an unforeseen emergency or a major casualty event.
But they were also clear: those agreements don’t cover everyday, non-urgent care, which is precisely where the system is struggling.
Government Frustration vs. Public Sympathy
Wes Streeting didn’t hide his frustration at the impact of the strike, saying that while much of the planned care had gone ahead, some patients had been left disappointed.
Still, he praised NHS workers for working hard to minimize disruptions, and he reaffirmed his willingness to return to the negotiating table.
He pointed out that resident doctors have already received a 28.9% pay increase over the last three years and warned that going further this year simply isn’t possible within the current budget.
At the same time, he acknowledged the need to do more for doctors’ day-to-day working conditions, especially after more than a decade of underfunding and system strain.
What Happens Next?
For now, the GMC is standing firm. A spokesperson reminded the public that doctors do have the legal right to take part in industrial action and that hospitals are expected to plan ahead to keep patients safe.
Still, as the political pressure builds and public patience wears thin, the question remains: can a balance be struck between doctors’ rights and patients’ needs?
One thing is certain—this conversation is far from over.