Industrial action planned for January

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced junior doctors are planning further strike action this month, after failing to reach agreement with the government on a pay offer. 

The action across England will take place between 7am on the 3 January to 7am on 9 January 2024.

What if I have an appointment on a strike day?

Everyone who has an appointment on one of the affected days should attend as planned unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If clinicians have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal.

If your appointment is cancelled due to the industrial action, they will contact you to rebook it as soon as possible. Please be patient with them whilst they work to recover services – they will be in touch with you.

If your appointment has been postponed and you were due to come into hospital using patient transport ambulance services, please let them know.

Will emergency care be affected on strike days?

Accident and emergency departments will be open as usual and emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk – patients continue to come forward as normal.

Will maternity services be affected on the days of the strikes?

No, maternity services will not be affected on strike days and our maternity services will be running as normal.

Will GP services be affected on strike days?

GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments.

When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?

Clinicians will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a letter or phone call, and you will be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

Is there anything I should do now?

No. Clinicians will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?

No, if you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.