Resident Doctor Strike Action

When are the resident doctor strikes?

The strike action is planned from Friday 7am on Friday 25 July, until 7am on Wednesday 30 July.

How many doctors will take part?

The British Medical Association (BMA) doesn't publish estimated figures. Doctors vary on whether they strike for just some or all of the days. In previous strike action, more have been off at the start of the strikes.

Will there be more strikes?

The BMA has a six-month strike mandate, so it could plan further action coming into winter and through to January 2026.

Are there any national strike exemptions for A&E or maternity services?

No. This is an 'all out' walk-out, which they're legally entitled to do. However, there is an informal understanding between the BMA and the NHS for staff to pause striking to respond to major incidents such as a terror attack.

What if I need urgent or emergency care?

Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or through the NHS App to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. If you do not have internet access, then the free, 24/7 111 phone line is also available.

When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999.

Will my appointments be cancelled?

As with previous resident doctors' strikes, planned operations, procedures, and outpatient appointments are likely to be affected if consultants are pulled across to deal with A&E, maternity and other safety-critical areas.

However unlike in previous strikes, NHS England has discouraged trusts from mass advance cancellations of elective appointments. Instead its public message is very much 'we are carrying on as normal' to keep as many services going as safely possible.

You should attend planned appointments unless told otherwise.

When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?

The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a text, phone call or a letter and you should be offered an alternative date for your appointment.

If you have not been contacted, you should attend your appointment as planned.

If my appointment is rescheduled, will I be put back to the bottom of the waiting list?

The NHS has said that any appointments that need to be rescheduled will be rescheduled as a priority.

I have a loved one who will be a hospital inpatient on strike day – how will their care be affected?

All hospital inpatients will be informed of how their care will be impacted on a ward-by-ward basis by the staff involved in delivering their care.

Where can I find more information?

NHSE has published information for the public,urging people to still call 999 or visit A&E for urgent and life-threatening problems and to turn up for planned hospital appointments unless they hear otherwise. 

No other staff group is taking action at this point so GPs and other services remain open.