Little progress has been made between junior doctors and DHBs in their ongoing dispute to settle their collective agreement.

Starting today, up-to 3000 junior doctors will partake in a five-day strike.

Auckland City Hospital emergency doctor Kathryn Foster says after so long, the lack of progress is sometimes demoralising.

She told Mike Hosking it's never been about money - but for doctors to maintain the conditions of their employment.

The Employment Relations Authority has escalated the doctors dispute to facilitation, which will see a third party brought into negotiations.