COVID-19, Long COVID, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, and other virus UK and World News Update 25th July 2025
I hope you've had a good month - thanks for coming back! I've had a very lovely time off - I survived going on a plane, which I haven't done in 26 years because I was terrified last time. It's never too late to face your fears, and I'm exceptionally glad I did. We went on holiday with 5 of our 'children', ticked off some bucket list items visiting Pompeii, Vesuvius and Herculaneum, and walking a crippling 80 miles over 11 days. Be brave, it pays off, even if you have sore knees. Back to it...
Resident doctors (previously junior doctors) in England are striking for 5 days from today in fresh action over pay. They are demanding pay is restored to equivalent levels for 2008, and are asking for a 29% pay rise. They have been offered 5.4%.
Adverts have been published in national papers showing a newly qualified doctor's assistant earns over £24 per hour, while a resident doctor is on £18.62 per hour with years of medical experience (and may even have use of their own doctor's assistant to support with paperwork, admin, screening, blood tests etc).
The BMA has warned that patients will be at risk because NHS leaders have asked that planned treatment isn't postponed, despite up to 50,000 people joining the strike.
