England consultant doctors to stage two-day strike in November

Senior consultant doctors across England are preparing to walk out for a two-day strike next month amid a prolonged dispute regarding pay rates and working conditions. This industrial action follows a series of talks held with the government over the past month, coming after members of the British Medical Association voted in favor of staging strikes back in July.

The upcoming walkout is scheduled to commence on November 25, 2026, at 06:59 GMT. During the strike, consultants will provide emergency-only medical cover, a framework traditionally referred to as Christmas Day cover, which is expected to create severe disruptions across routine clinical services and elective treatments nationwide.

Although consultants—recognized as the most senior medical professionals within the National Health Service—were granted a 3.5% pay rise this year, the BMA contends that real-terms earnings have actually decreased by a quarter over the past 17 years when factoring in inflation. Furthermore, the union is pushing for standard weekly working hours to be trimmed from 40 down to 35 hours, alongside demands for enhanced out-of-hours compensation and pension scheme modifications.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

"Unfortunately, that road has now run out, and we have been forced to announce strikes."

British Medical Association (BMA)

Union representatives added that consultants take their professional obligations with utmost seriousness and that striking does not come naturally, yet they are receiving unmistakable signals from the profession that staff have reached their limit. Regarding baseline earnings, starting basic pay for consultants begins at 113,500 pounds annually, while the most experienced practitioners receive 150,500 pounds, with additional supplementary payments pushing average total earnings past the 150,000 pound mark.