Doctors’ strikes can have surprising benefits – but are they sustainable?
Doctors’ strikes can have surprising benefits – but are they sustainable?
When the recent walkout by resident doctors in England concluded, some NHS leaders expressed relief, likening the strikes to a “firebreak” that eased pressure on the system. Reflecting on prior strikes, these officials noted that the system operated more smoothly than usual, with reports of quicker patient processing and reduced waiting times. Despite the initial concerns about chaos, outcomes included faster decision-making and calmer hospital environments.
However, the advantages appeared to stem from temporary fixes, which came with financial trade-offs. NHS England reported that approximately 25,000 doctors missed work daily during the December strike, as part of a BMA-led five-day walkout aimed at easing the Christmas rush. While ministers criticized the action as “irresponsible and dangerous,” at least one hospital saw the disruption as beneficial. A trust chief executive told the BBC: “With consultants on the front door, decisions are made swiftly, and admissions drop. Lower bed occupancy before Christmas was a gift.”
“We have heard, anecdotally, that the enhanced presence of consultant colleagues in A&E, with their additional experience, can mean quicker, less risk-averse decision-making, which is good for patients.”
During the strike, consultants and senior doctors stepped in to manage emergency departments, allowing faster assessments of patient needs. At King’s College Hospital, a study found that patients were processed more efficiently during the walkout, with no increase in deaths or readmissions. Similarly, at Royal Berkshire Hospital, the four-hour A&E target was met in 82% of cases during the strike, compared to 73% the prior week.
Dr. Layla McCay of the NHS Alliance highlighted that the benefits arose from consultants taking over front-line roles, reducing the layers of senior review typically required. “The more doctors involved in a patient pathway, the longer everything takes,” noted Dr. Damian Roland of the University of Leicester. Yet, training resident doctors remains crucial for building the future consultant workforce.
Dr. Jack Fletcher of the BMA emphasized that without trainee doctors, there would be no replacement for retiring consultants. “Every December, hospitals aim to discharge patients before the festive slowdown,” he said. “The pre-Christmas strike accelerated this process, improving flow and enhancing the patient experience.”
Some institutions are now testing new strategies on non-strike days. For instance, one trust places cardiology consultants at the entrance every Friday, inspired by the efficiency observed during industrial action. “Junior doctors are more cautious,” said Nick Hulme, former chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust. “After seeing the impact of the strikes, we realized this was a smart way to reduce admissions ahead of the weekend.”
Patients also noticed the shift. One woman described her strike-day visit as “a blessing,” while a mother shared that her son received the fastest asthma treatment he’d ever had, thanks to an experienced consultant. NHS England confirmed that thousands of patients were safely discharged home before Christmas, even amid the strike.