Summary
Thousands of early-career doctors in England stopped working for five days to strike over pay. They want pay raises to recover losses in real-terms since 2008. The government says doctors have already received significant raises and urges them to return to work to avoid disrupting patient care.
Key Facts
- Thousands of doctors in England's public health system went on a five-day strike.
- The strike is due to a pay dispute between doctors and the government.
- Doctors are asking for raises to offset what they say is a 20% pay loss since 2008.
- The government claims doctors have received an average pay increase of 28.9%.
- Emergency departments remain open, and hospitals aim to keep regular appointments.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged doctors to end the strike for patients' benefit.
- The National Health Service is working through a backlog of appointments post-COVID-19.
