Upcoming Doctors Strike
Important information
Resident doctors’ strike – information for our patients
Our practice will remain open during the resident doctors’ (junior doctors’) strike. Please attend your booked appointments as normal unless we contact you to say otherwise.
✅ We are open during the strike.
📅 Keep your appointment unless we ask you to reschedule.
🌐 For urgent advice when the surgery is not suitable, use NHS 111 online or call 111.
🚑 Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies only.
How the strike affects our practice
Are we open during the strike?
Yes. Our practice is open as usual during the resident doctors’ strike. Our reception and clinical teams continue to provide care for our patients.
You can contact us in the normal way for urgent and routine problems.
What happens to my booked appointment?
If you have an appointment with us on a strike day, please attend as planned unless we contact you.
We will only change appointments when this is necessary. If your appointment needs to be moved:
- we will contact you by text, phone or letter, and
- we will offer a new appointment date or an alternative option.
If you do not hear from us, your appointment is going ahead.
Using other NHS services during the strike
The NHS will prioritise emergency and urgent care during strike action, so some services may be busier than usual.
- For urgent but not life-threatening problems when you are not sure what to do, use NHS 111 online or call 111.
- For minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats and tummy bugs, your local pharmacy can often help without seeing a GP.
- For life-threatening emergencies, always call 999 or go to A&E.
Where to get help during the strike
Life-threatening emergency
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life may be at risk. For example:
- Chest pain or suspected heart attack
- Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech problems)
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Heavy bleeding or serious injury
- Seizures, loss of consciousness or severe allergic reaction
Do not delay seeking help in a genuine emergency because of strike action. Emergency services are still available.
Urgent, but not life-threatening
If you need urgent medical help but it is not an emergency, and you are not sure which service you need:
- Visit NHS 111 online, or
- Call 111.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day. A trained adviser will assess your symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate service, such as:
- a GP appointment (with our practice or an out-of-hours service)
- a local urgent treatment centre or minor injuries unit
- a pharmacy for advice and over-the-counter treatment
Please only use A&E for serious or life-threatening conditions.
Routine or ongoing care
For problems that are not urgent, or for ongoing conditions that need review:
- Contact our practice in the usual way for advice, routine appointments and follow-ups.
- Attend all booked appointments unless we contact you to change them.
- Use your local pharmacy for advice on minor illnesses, medicines and self-care – they can often help without the need to see a GP.
Some hospital clinics and procedures may be postponed due to the strike. The hospital will contact you directly if your hospital appointment needs to be rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cancel my appointment on a strike day?
No. Please do not cancel your appointment because of the strike. If we need to rearrange it, we will contact you directly.
Will emergency care still be available?
Yes. Emergency and life-saving care will continue across the NHS. If you or someone else is seriously unwell or in immediate danger, you should still call 999 or go to A&E.
Will it take longer to be seen after the strike?
Some services may be busier and waiting times may be longer while the NHS re-books appointments that were postponed. The NHS will work to reschedule these and to prioritise patients who have waited the longest or whose clinical needs are most urgent.