News
NHS urges people to keep ‘coming forward for care’ as resident doctors begin strikes from tomorrow
"We are doing all we can to limit disruption."
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2025 
The NHS has issued a plea urging people to keep ‘coming forward for care’ if they need it for the next week.
In case you hadn’t heard, earlier this month, the British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed that doctors had ‘spoken clearly’ after the results of a ballot – which ran from 27 May until 7 July – revealed that 90% of resident doctors voted in favour of a return to industrial action.
The ballot saw a turnout of 55% members, with almost 30,000 (29,741) votes cast, and 26,766 of those votes endorsing the use of strike action as part of efforts to restore pay.
The result meant that resident doctors secured a fresh mandate to stage industrial action when they choose up until January 2026.
As the results of the ballot proved that the vast majority of resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – were in favour of taking industrial action, it was then subsequently confirmed they will stage a full walk out from 7am tomorrow (Friday 25 July) up until 7am on Wednesday 30 July.
Ahead of the strikes beginning tomorrow morning, the NHS has now appealed directly to the public urging them to not be deterred from seeking treatment if they need it during this time frame.
According to the NHS, hospitals and local teams across the UK have all been preparing ‘as usual’ ahead of this latest round of strikes, and plans have been put in place to minimise disruption to patient experiences and ensure life-saving care continues.
Hospital chief executives have been asked to keep routine operations going ‘to the fullest extent possible’ during this round of strikes, and to only reschedule appointments and other activity in ‘exceptional circumstances’.
This is why the NHS is therefore advising the public to continue to attend any planned appointments that 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.
From tomorrow, some NHS services will be affected due to strike action.
— NHS England (@NHSEngland) July 24, 2025
While some appointments won’t go ahead as planned, NHS staff are doing all they can to limit disruption – and patients should continue to use services in the usual way.
ℹ️ https://t.co/HmJKykntLY pic.twitter.com/3EOUE5d9QP
The public should use 111 online as the ‘first port of call’ for issues that are considered urgent but not life-threatening during industrial action, so that they can be directed to the best place for their needs, while calling 999 or heading to A&E as normal should happen in the event of an emergency.
Read more:
- Dates announced as resident doctors prepare to stage strikes this month
- NHS strikes deal with private sector to cut waiting lists across the UK
- Government launches ‘urgent’ review into NHS maternity and neonatal care services
“There is no doubt this industrial action will take a toll on patients and NHS staff, and it is disappointing it is going ahead,” commented Professor Meghana Pandit, who is NHS England’s National Medical Director, ahead of the strikes.
“While it will mean some appointments won’t be able to go ahead as planned, we are doing all we can to limit this, and patients should continue to use NHS services in the usual way.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
