BMA Junior Doctors Strike in April
The BMA has announced its junior doctors in England will be taking part in a second wave of strike action, with a full 96-hour walkout in April.
Continuous strike action – day and night – will begin at 7am on Tuesday 11 April and continue through to 7am on Saturday 15 April with many of our junior doctors at Newcastle Hospitals taking part.
On these days – and to maintain patient safety – the NHS will prioritise emergency treatment and patients seeking urgent treatment will be seen. Unfortunately this means the NHS will have to reschedule some routine appointments and procedures and will be contacting patients directly to let them know.
The NHS said they appreciate that this will be frustrating, however, it is essential that some appointments are rescheduled to allow emergency care to continue to be available. All appointments will be re-arranged as a priority.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening?
Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/2023 pay award. A number of the unions have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action. This is the second round of action by the BMA and continuous strike action is expected to take place from 7am on Tuesday 11 April until 7am on Saturday 15 April and will include junior doctors from Newcastle Hospitals.
The NHS wants to see a resolution as soon as possible, but pay is a matter for the Government and the trade unions.
What if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.
What if I have an appointment on strike days?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless the NHS have contacted you to reschedule. If the NHS have not contacted you, then you should attend your appointment as normal. If your appointment has been postponed and you were due to go into hospital using patient transport ambulance services, please let them know.
Will emergency care be affected on strike days?
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 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?
The NHS 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 should be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If the NHS have not contacted you, then you should attend your appointment as planned.
Is there anything I should do now?
No. The NHS 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 the NHS have not contacted you, then you should attend your appointment as planned. If you are not sure if your appointment is going ahead, please contact the clinic / department in your letter.
How long will services be impacted?
This is a continuous 96-hour strike which means industrial action will start at 7am on Tuesday 11 April and last until 7am on Saturday 15 April over the course of those days and nights.
