NHS leaders warn of strike action over festive period

England's top doctor has warned of strike disruption over the festive period, while services are already facing winter pressures.

Junior doctors will be striking from Wednesday 20th at 7.00am until 7.00am on Saturday (23  Dec). During this time, the NHS will prioritise urgent and emergency care as consultants step in to cover for junior doctors, who make up 50% of the medical workforce.

The longest action ever by junior doctors is also planned from 7.00am on the 3 January to 7.00am on the 9 January.

The NHS is warning of disruption with an impact on almost all routine care, along with an extra admin burden and difficulties with discharging patients.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “These strikes come at a time that will cause huge disruption to the NHS, with services are already feeling the strain of winter pressure.

“When you factor in the Christmas and New Year break, these strikes will prolong that period of reduced activity and it also puts the health service on the back foot into the new year, which is a time where we see demand start to rise significantly.

“Over the holiday period, I would encourage anyone who needs medical help to continue to come forward – in a life-threatening emergency, call 999 and use A&E in the usual way. For everything else, use 111 online.”