The British Medical Association is coordinating a resident doctors’ strike due to commence at 7am on Tuesday, April 7, running through until 7am on Monday, April 13. The planned industrial action will heap further pressure on the health service, particularly following the Easter bank holiday weekend when demand traditionally rises anyway.
Ahead of the strike, patients have been advised what to expect and where to turn for help. Members of the public have been urged to be considerate of their NHS usage throughout the industrial action, with doctors prioritising life-saving treatment.
The strike will impact every hospital across England. Those with hospital appointments booked during the strike period have been told the NHS will only postpone them when absolutely necessary.
Notification will most likely come via text, telephone or letter, and you should receive a replacement date for your appointment. The NHS has warned patients may not receive much advance notice of a cancellation during the strike.
Rescheduled appointments will also be given precedence. If the NHS hasn’t been in touch to rearrange, you’ll most likely be able to attend your appointment as originally planned. During the industrial action in December 2025, NHS figures reveal that nearly 95% of scheduled routine care was able to go ahead as normal.
Hospital inpatients will be kept informed about how their treatment will be impacted. This may differ from ward to ward across each hospital, depending on the staff responsible for delivering care.
GPs and dental practices are likely to face less disruption from the strike. People are encouraged to attend these appointments as normal unless your surgery has contacted you to let you know otherwise.
NHS England stated: “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.
“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.”
With healthcare professionals prioritising life-saving treatment, less critical matters may face longer waiting times. Those with non-life-threatening concerns have been advised to try 111 online or the NHS app as a first port of call.
Anyone facing an emergency should call 999 if they are seriously ill, injured or their life is at risk. If you are unsure whether you need A&E, you can phone 111 or use the online service.
The NHS has further guidance available online regarding when to call 999 or visit A&E, and what people can expect when using these emergency services.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
