The five-day strike by resident doctors in December 2025 has concluded, but negotiations over pay and training reforms continue between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the UK government.
Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) rejected a government offer intended to avert the industrial action.
The offer included a significant expansion of specialty training posts and some professional support measures, but did not include additional pay increases beyond previous rises.
The offer was not taken forward to a full referendum because the union survey of members indicated it was insufficient to call off the strike.
Negotiations between the BMA and the government continue into early 2026.
No final formal agreement has been announced to definitively end the dispute.
Instead, the parties are pursuing further negotiation, and the BMA moved to ballot all resident doctors on combined issues of pay and job security to establish a fresh mandate for talks and potential future action.
Both sides indicated a willingness to re-engage in talks following the walkout.
The BMA signalled its intent to resume discussions over both pay and training.
The Health Secretary expressed a desire to find a resolution to end further industrial action.
“I do not want to see a single day of industrial action in the NHS in 2026, and I will be doing everything I can to make this a reality,” said Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
How services were impacted during the strike
Hospitals reported that emergency and critical care services were largely maintained during the strike, though some routine appointments and elective procedures were delayed.
NHS leaders have emphasised ongoing efforts to manage waiting lists and minimise disruption to patient care.
The strikes highlighted persistent workforce pressures within the NHS, including recruitment and retention challenges, limited specialist training places, and concerns over staff morale.
The industrial action has prompted renewed attention on long-term workforce planning and the need for sustainable solutions to address these issues.
Public and professional reaction to the strikes was mixed, with some supporting the doctors’ case for fair pay and career progression, while others expressed concern over the impact on patient services during a busy winter period.
The BMA and government remain in discussions to reach a resolution, with the outcomes expected to influence NHS staffing policies and service delivery in the months ahead.