The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced strike action by resident doctors from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July.

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.

The NHS will be working closely with unions to discuss any patient safety concerns and ensure safe staffing for emergency care continues to be available.

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.

While we will do our best to only cancel appointments where it is necessary, we know from previous strikes that there will be significant disruption to patient appointments as a result of the strikes.

If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike 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.

GP practices will continue to be open as normal during the resident doctors strike. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.

The NHS is also asking the public to play their part during industrial action by looking after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

Ahead of industrial action, please read the following advice if you are travelling to other parts of the country:

• If you’re staying in England and are away from home and need a GP appointment for routine treatment, please call your own surgery. And if you need a prescription, they can send it to any pharmacy you choose.
• Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, though your GP practice website or, if you do not have access to GP online services, by calling your GP practice.
• Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit at home or with you.