Doctors are taking part in a five-day strike across the country as the NHS is battling a surge in flu hospitalisations amid a 'super flu' variant running rampant across the country.

Resident doctors in England, represented by the British Medical Association (BMA), have staged the five-day walk outafter rejecting a last minute deal from Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The medics say they are striking to improve care and to keep more doctors in the NHS as many are moving abroad, tempted by better offers.

Wes Streeting has been locked in an increasingly bitter feud with BMA leadership after refusing to increase the headline pay rse of 5.4% for 2025/26. As doctorstook to the picket line for the first of five days of strike action, hospital bosses warned that the NHS will feel the impact of strikes "into January and beyond".

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Hospital leaders have called for resident doctors and the Government to start talks with external mediators, as they say the dispute has reached an "impasse". Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, told Times Radio: “What’s so frustrating is that this strike feels no closer to being resolved than it ever has been, and it’s getting more and more acrimonious as well.

“We seem to have reached an impasse – it seems quite incredulous to us that the Government who put such a good offer on the table last week could have been met with such a resounding ballot from the doctors saying ‘we don’t agree’. It feels like we need to do something to unlock this, and if external mediation is the thing that will unlock it, then please, can we get on and do it?”

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Speaking to broadcasters yesterday, Mr Streeting said: "We did everything we could to avert these strikes and to stop strike action frm taking place. I think people can see that I've tried my absolute best to avoid these strikes on what is the worst time for the NHS. I'm really sorry to patients for the disruption that is happening as a result."

He added: "Our entire focus now is on keeping patients safe, particularly over the next five days of strike action, but also through what is the peak period for the NHS. We are doing everythingwe can to minimise the disruption. There is going to be disruption."

The Prime Minister slammed the strike action. Speaking at Prme Minister's Question's, he said: "Let me be clear about the strikess. They're dangerous and utterly irresponsible. My message to resident doctors is, don't abandon patients, work with us to improve conditions, and rebuild the NHS."

Some medics have been granted permission by the BMA to leave the picket line on the first day so they could return to work in the maternity unit at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust due to "unique and difficult circumstances." During the strike, hospitals have been told they should be aiming to deliver 95% of their usual activity.

But health leaders have shared their concern that this could be "more challenging due to the onset of winter pressures and rising flu". Wes Streeting said hospitals would work to minimise the impact, but did warn patients they face disruption as the walkout comes at the "worst time" for the NHS.

BMA members rejected a new offer from the Government on Monday. The deal includes a fast expansion of specialist training posts – which would be ratified through by emergency legislation, as well as covering out-of-pocket expenses such as exam fees, but does not include extra pay. Mr Streeting told MPs he would continue with the legislative process but he “will want an end to the dispute” for the Bill to be passed.

Talks between the BMA and the GMB concluded with “no movement” on Tuesday. The next phase includes negotiating with support from conciliation service Acas, if this does not lead to a resolution, the following step will be to ballot members for strike.

A GMB rep working for the BMA said: “We remain committed to seeking a credible offer to reflect inflation and a resolution to address years of pay erosion, just as resident doctors are rightly doing for their own pay.” Rachel Podolak, BMA chief executive, said: “We understand that this year’s offer may not be able to meet the expectation of all our staff, but we remain committed to working with the GMB as we continue to address the financial challenges we face.”