Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pledged to renew negotiations with striking junior doctors in the new year, aiming to resolve a bitter pay dispute that has plunged the NHS into a fourteenth round of industrial action.
Strike Action and Stalled Talks
Resident doctors in England, formerly known as junior doctors, have entered the second day of a five-day walkout, marking their fourteenth strike since 2023. The action stems from a prolonged conflict with the Government over pay and conditions. Mr Streeting, during a visit to a London ambulance station, expressed a desire to end the dispute but stated the British Medical Association's (BMA) demand for an additional 26% pay increase on top of previous offers was unaffordable.
"I do want to end this dispute," 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." He criticised his Conservative predecessors for refusing to meet with the union but noted the BMA had rejected an offer from the conciliation service Acas to host talks.
NHS Battles Record Winter Virus Surge
The strike coincides with a severe winter virus season, placing immense strain on health services. New NHS data reveals the number of flu patients in hospitals in England remains at a record level for this time of year, with an average of 3,140 patients daily last week. This represents an 18% rise from the previous week and is significantly higher than the 648 patients recorded at this point in 2023.
While the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicated flu levels are "now starting to stabilise," regional data shows a mixed picture. Admissions have fallen by 4% in the North West but have risen sharply elsewhere, including a 40% increase in south-west England and a 39% rise in the East.
"This has been a very challenging season for us on flu," Streeting admitted, citing an early onset and a new strain. He voiced serious concern about the "knock-on consequences" of strike action in the coming weeks, combining with existing winter pressures.
Path Forward and Ongoing Pressures
NHS England's national medical director, Professor Meghana Pandit, warned that the service is "nowhere near out of the woods yet," with strikes and viruses keeping hospitals on high alert. Alongside flu, norovirus-like symptoms have led to a 21% weekly increase in occupied hospital beds.
Mr Streeting has called for a "closing of the gap" between union demands and what the public can afford, setting the stage for crucial talks in early January. Healthcare leaders have urged both sides to enter external mediation, an offer Acas confirms it stands ready to facilitate. The government's immediate focus remains on guiding the NHS through the current strike period and a precarious festive season for public health.
