Residents doctors from various parts of the country have gone on strike today to express their dissatisfaction with issues related to their pay, employment, and working conditions. The protest, organized by the British Medical Association (BMA), saw crowds gathering at hospitals across England despite the cold and rainy weather.

At St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster, resident doctors and their supporters, carrying orange BMA umbrellas, signs, and placards, voiced their demands for pay restoration. Dr. Arthur Joustra, a 27-year-old SD1 pediatrics trainee from Nottinghamshire, shared his reasons for participating in the strike, citing concerns about the ongoing employment crisis in the medical field and the need for pay restoration to pre-2008 levels adjusted for inflation.

The BMA-led five-day walkout of resident doctors in England began on Friday and is expected to continue until Wednesday, with many doctors withholding their labor. Despite the strike, the NHS is working to maintain almost all services and is encouraging patients to attend appointments as scheduled.

Dr. Joustra emphasized the challenges faced by NHS staff, highlighting the importance of adequate pay and staffing to meet the demands placed on the healthcare system. He stressed the need for the NHS workers to be valued and compensated fairly to ensure high-quality care for patients.

Speaking to the Mirror, BMA chair Dr. Tom Dolphin addressed the unemployment crisis among doctors in the UK, pointing out the high number of applications for limited training posts. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a better system to prioritize doctors’ training and retain talented medical professionals in the country.