Resident Doctors and UK Health Secretary Agree to Negotiate Dispute

As of August 6th, 2025, resident doctors in England have agreed to a "window for negotiations" with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, according to the British Medical Association (BMA). This development comes after a 5-day strike by the medics in their ongoing dispute with the UK Government over pay.

In a joint statement, the co-chairs of the BMA's resident doctors committee, Dr. Ross Nieuwoudt and Dr. Melissa Ryan, said their conversation with Streeting was "informative" and they feel they have achieved a "greater mutual understanding" compared to previous talks. The doctors reiterated their determination to return to a "fair level of pay" and the urgent need to provide enough jobs for doctors to progress their careers.

While the parties have agreed to a "window for negotiations", the doctors emphasized that there must be "movement on pay" going forward. They also expressed a desire to work with the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver on non-pay items previously agreed to, and to forge mutual respect after years of apparent disregard for doctors' pay and wellbeing.

The doctors are working to ensure strike action does not need to be repeated, but they also stated that a resolution is needed "sooner rather than later" for the sake of both doctors and patients.