Industrial Action - information for the public

22 July 2025

Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, will go on strike for five days across England later this month. The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed the strikes will take place from 7am on Friday 25 July, until 7am on Wednesday 30 July – unless a new deal is agreed before then.

This is a dispute between resident doctors represented by the BMA, and the UK government. During these strikes, other doctors (including GPs, consultants and some specialist doctors) will still be working.

Disruption to staffing will cause a reduction in elective (planned) activity and this could mean some appointments and procedures may need to be rescheduled. If we have not contacted you, please attend any planned appointments as normal. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and will rebook as quickly as possible.

If you need urgent care, please continue to come forward as normal regardless of any industrial action taking place. Especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

If you need medical help during the industrial action

During the strikes, there may be fewer doctors working than usual, and they will need to prioritise life saving care. Less urgent cases may experience longer waits during strikes.

The NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and as ever only using 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency.

For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.

Your GP practice will still be open and working, as will your local pharmacy.