The NHS is facing another significant round of industrial action by resident doctors this week, with thousands expected to walk out from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July. 

Hospitals and local teams have been preparing as usual ahead of this latest round of strikes and have plans in place to minimise disruption to patient care and ensure life-saving care continues. 

This will be the twelfth strike from resident doctors since March 2023, resulting in 49 days of disruption to NHS services – equivalent to almost ten working weeks of industrial action over this period.   

NHS England has asked hospital chief executives to keep routine operations going to the fullest extent possible during this round of strikes and only reschedule appointments and other activity in exceptional circumstances to safeguard patient safety. 

The NHS is therefore advising the public to continue to attend any planned appointments they have scheduled over the strike period unless they have been contacted to reschedule. 

Primary and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available for those who need them. The public should use 111 online as the first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues during industrial action so that they can be directed to the best place for their needs. Patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal. 

Dr. Chris Streather, Chief Medical Director for the NHS in London, said: “It is disappointing that resident doctors are striking, and this industrial action will no doubt take a toll on patients and NHS staff in London, and across the country.  

“We are doing all we can to limit the cancellation of appointments and patients should continue to use NHS services in the usual way. Londoners should attend their appointments unless told otherwise.  

“Non-urgent medical help can be accessed through the NHS app, 111 online or your local pharmacist or GP.  In a life-threatening emergency you should dial 999”.