Let’s see an end to NHS strikes in 2026

Responding to NHS England figures showing the impact of last month’s resident doctors strike the chief executive of NHS Providers, Daniel Elkeles, said:

"It’s remarkable that despite resident doctors’ industrial action and a strong flu surge, the NHS managed to maintain near-normal levels of planned activity and support so many patients to get home for Christmas. 

"That’s testament to the planning and hard work of so many NHS staff who stepped up at a very challenging time.

"But it doesn’t detract from the harm and distress for patients whose care was disrupted.

"Nor does it reflect the cost and diversion of effort at a critical time for the health service.

"We need a fix for this dispute, through mediation if necessary, and let’s see an end to NHS strikes in 2026."