The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) will take part in strike action from 7am Friday 25 July to 7am Wednesday 30 July 2025. All NHS services are expected to be under greater pressure than normal during the planned industrial action.
During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate safely. We make every effort through planning and safe staffing levels to minimise disruption.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
Please follow NHS advice during this time, to help you get the right care, in the right place, as quickly as possible. If you do not need emergency care, we will arrange a same-day appointment at a local Urgent Treatment Centre or refer you to another suitable service. Think pharmacy, GP, and NHS 111 first.
You can help by
- attending any scheduled appointment as planned. You will be contacted only if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
- using NHS 111 online first to help you get the right care as quickly as possible or call NHS 111 if you cannot get online.
- only using 999 when someone is seriously ill or if it is a life-threatening emergency.
- contacting your GP as normal. They are not affected by the strike action.
- visiting your local pharmacy, they can help with minor illnesses and injuries.
- going to an urgent treatment centre instead of the Emergency Department. NHS 111 can guide you to the right service with a confirmed appointment or arrival time slot.
Check first, is it an emergency, on our website. If you do come to the Emergency Department and do not need to be there, we will redirect you to a service more appropriate for your needs.
We apologise to anyone whose care has been disrupted during this period.
NHS England has further information for the public on industrial action.