Junior doctors will strike this week over an ongoing pay dispute with the government, at a challenging time for NHS staff as they work hard to meet the surge in demand that the festive period brings.  

Junior doctors will begin strike action at 7am on Wednesday, 20 December through to 7am on 23 December. They will then hold a second round of industrial action from 7am on January 3 until 7am on January 9. Meaning that in the coming three weeks, only two weekdays are unaffected by holidays or industrial action, in the NHS.

Junior doctors make up around 50 per cent of doctors in the NHS and, despite extensive planning and cover arrangements in place, the latest strikes by junior doctors are expected to cause widespread disruption. 

Top medics at the NHS in London are keen to stress that emergency care continues to be prioritised during the industrial action and people should still call 999 in life-threatening emergencies and contact NHS 111 for other health concerns, as well as local services including GPs and pharmacies.  

Last week a UKHSA report covering 4-10 December has shown a sharp rise in the number of people with flu symptoms being seen by GPs nationally – with cases rising from 4.6 to 5.3 per 100,000 compared to the previous week. The report also shows that more people are attending emergency departments, and admissions to intensive care are also on the rise. 

Chris Streather, Medical Director, NHS London said:  

“The NHS in London has been preparing extensively for these strikes, and it’s important that people continue to come forward for care if they need it. To help us deliver care to those that need it most, we are asking the public to continue to use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies.  

“For everything else people should contact NHS 111 online, as well using local services like GPs and pharmacies for advice and care. If you haven’t been contacted or informed that your planned appointment has been postponed, please attend as normal.” 

To mitigate some of the usual pressures that winter can bring, NHS London this year began its winter vaccination campaign early, in an attempt to ensure nearly 4.7 million eligible Londoners were winter ready and less likely to need medical attention. 

Public health experts continue to urge all those eligible for Covid or flu jabs on the NHS to make sure they get vaccinated to protect themselves from serious illness. Those eligible for jabs can still talk to their GP or pharmacist about getting vaccinated. 

People should still come forward to access the care they need in the usual way – in a life-threatening emergency, 999 and use A&E. For everything else, use 111 online. Pharmacies and GPs are unaffected by the strikes so patients can still get appointments and health advice.   

Notes to editors: 

• The action follows a joint strike by junior doctors and consultants in October which led to the rescheduling of more than 34,000 acute appointments and procedures across NHS London 
• In more than a full calendar year of action, strikes have seen more than 1.1million inpatient and outpatient appointments rescheduled nationally 
• UKHSA national flu and Covid surveillance report 
• Some people are more likely to get very poorly from flu or COVID-19. People can get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines if: 

• • you are 65 years old or over 
  • or you have some health conditions 
  • or you are pregnant 
  • or you have a learning disability. 
• Carers can also get flu and COVID-19 vaccines if they are paid or unpaid. They may be able to get the vaccines at the same time as the person they care for. 
• Those eligible for flu and covid vaccination should book their appointments via their pharmacist or their GP surgery. 
• Link to walk-in flu vaccination services https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/pharmacy-nhs-flu-vaccine-service/ 
• Link to walk-in Covid vaccination services https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/find-a-walk-in-covid-19-vaccination-site/