Hospitals across England are beginning the mammoth task of recovery after a five-day strike by junior doctors concluded, with health experts warning the disruption will ripple through the health service well into the new year.
Strike Ends Amidst Winter Health Crisis
The latest round of industrial action by resident doctors, organised by the British Medical Association (BMA), ended at 7am on Monday 22 December 2025. The walkout coincided with a severe seasonal flu outbreak, compounding pressures on the NHS. The number of people hospitalised with flu in England has reached a record high for this time of year, with an average of 3,140 patients. This marks an 18% increase, though the rate of growth has slowed.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has reiterated his desire to resolve the long-running dispute. During a visit to a London ambulance station last week, he stated his intention to resume talks with the BMA in the new year. "I do want to end this dispute," Mr Streeting said. "I'm never going to shut the door to talks, and I will do my best to see if we can start 2026 off on a better foot."
A Dispute Over Pay and Conditions
The strike was called after BMA members rejected a government offer aimed at addressing training and job security concerns. According to the union's ballot, 83% of junior doctors voted to continue strike action, while 17% felt the offer was sufficient, on a 65% turnout.
Mr Streeting has argued that the BMA's demand for an additional 26% pay rise on top of previous settlements is unaffordable. However, Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's junior doctors committee, called for a new approach. "2026 must see less name-calling and more deal-making," he said. "What we need is a proper fix to this jobs crisis and a credible path towards restoring the lost value of the profession."
Impact to be Felt 'Into January and Beyond'
The true cost of the strike is expected to manifest in significantly longer waiting lists. Dr Layla McCay of the NHS Confederation warned on the first day of the walkout that the disruption "will be felt all the way into January and beyond".
Mr Streeting expressed his own concerns to the Health and Social Care Committee, stating he is "just as, if not more, worried" about the weeks following the strike as the action itself. The challenge of clearing the backlog is set against a worrying public health backdrop, with flu patient numbers far exceeding the 2,629 recorded at the same point last year and the 648 seen in 2023.
As the NHS enters a critical period, the focus now shifts to whether the promised new year negotiations between the government and the BMA can yield a breakthrough and prevent further industrial action.
