Choose the right NHS service during industrial action

24 July 2025

People are being urged to choose the right NHS service during the resident doctor industrial action, which is due to begin this Friday.

Resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) make up around half the medical workforce in England, so significant disruption is expected. The strike action is due to take place from 7am on Friday 25 July 2025 until 7am on Wednesday 30 July 2025.

Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “Resident doctors do a vital job, so losing this huge part of our workforce will have a big impact on our local NHS services and waiting times in A&E could be longer than usual.

“There are a range of NHS services available for different needs, such as pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and mental health crisis support. If you’re not sure which service is best, please visit NHS111 or phone 111 to be directed to the right place.”

Manjeet Shehmar, Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We apologise for any disruption patients may experience during the upcoming industrial action. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. 

“If you have a family member or friend in hospital, you can help them to be discharged more quickly by giving them a lift home, making sure they have essential shopping and important items like clothing and a key. I would like to thank the public for their continued support.

“Whilst strikes create significant pressure, patient safety is our highest priority, and we have well-tested plans in place to ensure we can continue to deliver urgent and emergency care to those who need it.” 

Anyone with an NHS appointment during the industrial action should attend unless they have been contacted to say it has been postponed.

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important that people who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.

Key messages:

• Attend hospital and GP appointments unless you are told otherwise by your general practice or hospital
• Help friends and family be discharged from hospital by giving them a lift home, making sure they have essential shopping and important items like clothing and a key.
• Be kind to staff
• If you need medical help now but you’re not sure what to do, visit 111 online or phone 111
• Only attend A&E if it is a life-threatening emergency
• Health services will be under significant pressure and you may have to wait longer to be seen.
• We will be prioritising people who need our services the most so if it’s not a life-threatening emergency, use alternative services like pharmacies or urgent treatment centres.
• Despite the pressures, the NHS is still here for you.

For more information please click HERE.