A planned strike by consultant doctors in England later this month has been paused following meetings with the government, the BMA announced.

Consultants in England were set to strike on 25 and 26 November for consultants after the union accused the government of “ignoring concerns” around the “wellbeing and workload” of medics.

This has now been paused to allow for formal negotiations with the government, the union said.

BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said: “We welcome the opportunity to enter formal negotiations with the Government and hope this marks a turning point in a dispute that has gone on for far too long.

“We’ve always said strikes do not need to go ahead as long as the government is willing to genuinely negotiate, and now is their chance to do so.

“We have received assurances that there are no constraints on what we discuss in these negotiations, and we look forward to hearing their proposals on both pay and working conditions.”

But the BMA warned that “patience is not infinite” and further strikes will be announced if talks fail.

Dr Neary and Dr Datta said: “Consultants have lost a quarter of their pay in real terms over 17 years, while working under increasingly unsustainable pressures.

“But this is about more than pay; it is also about ensuring consultants have the time, recognition and support they need to deliver the best possible care for patients and secure the future of the NHS, while not driving themselves to burn out.

“Pausing strike action in England gives both sides the opportunity to make progress. After 18 months of dispute, however, our patience is not infinite, and should these negotiations fail to swiftly deliver on the issues at the heart of this dispute, we will call further action.

“Consultants deserve a deal that recognises our value and gives us a sustainable future in the NHS, both for ourselves and our patients.”

The government had said in its evidence to the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration in October that its plan for a 2.4% pay rise for 2027/2028 would not require trade-offs against its health commitments.

The BMA says consultants have seen their pay cut by 25% in real terms over the last 17 years.