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Resident Doctors Cancel Strike Over Faster Pay, Training Boost

6/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Resident doctors in England called off the June 15-19 strike after the British Medical Association received a new government offer.
Health Secretary James Murray said the proposal offers a chance to end recent disputes.
The offer includes faster pay increases next year, 4,500 extra training places and coverage of doctors’ exam fees.
NHS England expects 95% of operations and appointments to proceed, though thousands remain postponed.

History

Historical Context

Negotiations for a junior-doctor contract began in 2012, but Jeremy Hunt’s 2015 plan to drop overtime premiums led the BMA to ballot 37,700 doctors, with 98% backing strike action. The first NHS-wide strike in 40 years took place on 12 January 2016, cancelling almost 295,000 outpatient appointments. The dispute highlighted how pay terms can cripple elective care and spur calls for pay rises and extra training places.

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Story summary

Resident doctors in England called off the June 15-19 strike after the British Medical Association received a new government offer.
Health Secretary James Murray said the proposal offers a chance to end recent disputes.
The offer includes faster pay increases next year, 4,500 extra training places and coverage of doctors’ exam fees.
NHS England expects 95% of operations and appointments to proceed, though thousands remain postponed.

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