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Why Are Doctors Striking in the UK? And Why We Should Care

Why Are Doctors Striking in the UK? And Why We Should Care

It’s hard to ignore the headlines lately doctors on strike, appointments cancelled, the NHS under strain. But behind the disruption are real people who’ve dedicated their lives to caring for others, and who are now fighting for fair treatment themselves. This isn’t just about pay (though that’s part of it). It’s about respect, burnout, and what it means to feel like your work matters. 

It’s completely understandable that people feel frustrated or upset when their medical appointments are cancelled due to strike action. Waiting for care can already be stressful, and delays only add to that worry. These feelings are valid, but we need to consider why they are making the decision to strike.

So, why are doctors actually striking?

Striking isn’t a decision doctors take lightly. But for many, it’s reached a point where staying silent feels worse. Over the past 15 years, junior doctors’ pay has fallen by around 26%. The British Medical Association (BMA) says they are essentially being asked to do more, with less, every single year (BMA, 2025). When you factor in student debt, rising rent, long hours, and relentless pressure? It’s no wonder morale is at rock bottom. Even experienced doctors are feeling it. Many talk about feeling undervalued, overworked, and completely burnt out. When your entire job is caring for others, but the system doesn’t seem to care for you it is bound to takes a toll.

Job satisfaction matters more than we think

It’s easy to overlook, but feeling respected and appreciated is vital in any job especially one as emotionally and physically demanding as medicine. Doctors need more than a payslip. They need to feel that what they do matters, that they’re supported, and that they can do their jobs safely and well. That sense of purpose is what gets them through the long nights, the heartbreak, the pressure. When that’s taken away or when their wellbeing is constantly put last, it’s only natural to feel disheartened. 

What happens if we lose our doctors?

The NHS is already stretched, and if doctors continue to leave the profession or move abroad, it’s only going to get worse.

According to recent data:

  • Around 23,000 doctors left the NHS in a single year (BMA Workforce Report, 2024).
  • One in five doctors is considering quitting altogether (Financial Times, 2025).
  • Many are looking to move to countries like Australia or Canada, where pay is better and work-life balance is more achievable (The Times, 2025).

Every doctor who leaves takes years of training, skill, and compassion with them. It means longer waiting times, fewer appointments, more pressure on the staff who remain, and ultimately, a system that struggles to cope. The strikes themselves have already caused over 1.5 million cancelled appointments (The Week, 2025) If his loss of doctors continues it will affect us all in the future.

Too often the media is filled with negativity about the NHS and its staff. Doctors are criticised for striking, for delays, for decisions they often have little control over. That must be incredibly upsetting like fighting a losing battle. If the same happened in our own jobs including being overworked, undervalued, and publicly blamed we’d likely feel just as defeated. So perhaps instead of judgement, we can offer a little compassion. Most doctors are doing their very best in a system that isn’t working well for them. They deserve our understanding, not our frustration. If we take a moment to reflect on our own working lives, how we feel when we’re stretched too thin or not recognised, we might find it easier to empathise with those standing up for fair treatment and better care for all.

References

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