NHS England has issued an update on the industrial action by junior doctors that is taking place today (Wednesday April 6).

NHS trusts have reported today that 46% [1] of junior doctors (out of a possible 26,000 working on a typical day) have reported for duty on the day shift.

Combining junior doctors, other doctors and consultants, the data shows 72% of the total trust medical workforce in work today.

Earlier this week, Trusts had reported to NHS England that it was expected the following elective procedures will have been cancelled as a result of the industrial action:

• Inpatient: 2,061 including 1,992 on days of action (6 and 7 April)
• Day Case: 3,104 including 3,052 on days of action (6 and 7 April) [2]

Dr Anne Rainsberry, National Incident Director for NHS England, said: “Patients are at the heart of the NHS and we can only apologise to the thousands of people facing disruption and uncertainty as a result of this ongoing action.

“We’ve already seen the pressure a 48-hour stoppage places on the NHS. The impact of the action so far is broadly in line with what we were expecting but tomorrow is likely to more difficult and we have made sure we have planned for this.

“Patient safety is always our absolute priority and staff across the country will be doing their utmost to make sure patients can continue to access urgent and emergency services.

“If people need medical help during the industrial action and it’s not an emergency they should consider NHS Choices, visit their local pharmacy – or call their GP or NHS 111 for more serious matters. If their condition is an emergency or life-threatening they should call 999 as usual or go to A&E”.

[1] This is not saying that 46% have chosen to work despite having a strike mandate as a proportion of those at work on a typical day would have been rostered to emergency services and therefore have turned up for duty.

[2] Data on cancellation of elective procedures was collected prior to the strike in respect of the period from 29 March to 12 April inclusive ie. to cover the effect of the strike on the days of industrial action and the days immediately pre- and post-action.