UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has appointed Liz Chinchen, an experienced trade union official to help manage growing industrial tensions across the NHS, as the government faces ongoing disputes with healthcare staff over pay, jobs and working conditions. The move comes at a time when industrial relations within the health service remain fragile, following years of strike action by doctors, nurses and other frontline workers.
The new adviser has been tasked with strengthening engagement between the Department of Health and Social Care and the numerous trade unions representing NHS employees. Officials hope the appointment will improve communication with staff groups and reduce the risk of further industrial action that could disrupt patient services.
A turbulent period for NHS workforce relations
The NHS workforce has experienced one of the most sustained periods of industrial unrest in its history. Since 2023, multiple professional groups, including resident doctors, nurses and ambulance staff have staged strikes over pay levels, staffing shortages and working conditions.
Resident doctors, represented by the British Medical Association (BMA), have been at the centre of the dispute. In early 2026, BMA members voted overwhelmingly to extend their strike mandate for another six months, highlighting continuing dissatisfaction with government proposals. Around 93% of doctors participating in the ballot backed further industrial action, although turnout was just over half of eligible members.
The union has argued that doctor salaries have fallen significantly in real terms since 2008 and has called for substantial pay restoration. Government ministers, however, say that resident doctors have already received significant pay increases in recent years and that further rises beyond current public-sector limits would be unaffordable.
Government strategy to stabilise workforce relations
Streeting has repeatedly emphasised the need to stabilise workforce relations while addressing structural problems affecting the NHS labour market. In parliamentary statements, he has acknowledged the pressures facing hospitals during periods of industrial action, particularly during winter months when demand for services typically rises.
In late 2025 the government proposed an expanded package designed to address workforce concerns, including increasing the number of specialist training posts for doctors. Officials said the plan could create around 4,000 additional training places by 2028, with the first 1,000 expected to become available earlier. Ministers argue that expanding career pathways will help reduce competition for training posts and improve long-term workforce retention within the NHS.
Importance of trade union expertise
The decision to recruit a seasoned trade union figure reflects recognition within the government that rebuilding trust with healthcare staff will require experienced negotiators who understand union structures and workplace relations.
Trade unions play a central role in representing NHS employees across multiple professional groups. Organisations such as UNISON, Unite and the Royal College of Nursing collectively represent hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers and negotiate with the government on pay, working conditions and professional standards.
By bringing in an adviser with direct experience of union negotiations, Streeting’s department hopes to develop more effective communication channels with staff representatives and resolve disputes before they escalate into strikes.
Impact on healthcare delivery
Industrial action has had a measurable impact on healthcare delivery in recent years. NHS leaders estimate that strike action since 2022 has led to the postponement of more than a million hospital appointments and procedures, contributing to longer waiting lists for elective care. These disruptions have occurred alongside existing pressures such as staff shortages, growing patient demand and the continuing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Health service leaders warn that further strikes could undermine efforts to reduce waiting times and improve patient access to treatment.
Streeting has also signalled wider reforms aimed at improving workforce stability within the NHS. These include initiatives to expand medical training, improve career progression opportunities and streamline recruitment processes for specialist roles. The government has also proposed prioritising UK medical graduates for training places as part of efforts to address bottlenecks in career progression and reduce competition for posts.
Looking ahead
The appointment of Chinchen highlights the importance the government places on restoring constructive relationships with NHS staff groups. While negotiations with unions continue, policymakers recognise that resolving workforce tensions will be essential to stabilising the health service. With millions of patients still waiting for treatment and demand for care continuing to rise, effective cooperation between government, unions and healthcare leaders will likely remain a defining challenge for NHS policy in the years ahead.
