NHS England has issued an alert reminding patients that some appointments may be changed or rescheduled next week due to planned strikes by resident doctors. The industrial action, which runs from 7am on Monday, June 15, to 7am on Friday, June 19, will see junior doctors walk out in a dispute over pay and training opportunities.
Why Are Resident Doctors Striking?
Known previously as junior doctors, these NHS staff are striking for a week in an ongoing dispute focused on pay restoration and access to specialty training positions. The British Medical Association (BMA) claims that despite recent pay increases, including a 3.5% rise in April, doctors' earnings remain approximately 20% lower in real terms than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation.
New doctors are calling for firm commitments to create more specialty training posts to address career bottlenecks. The government previously announced 1,000 extra posts but withdrew them after the union announced strikes. The BMA has warned of further action in July if no progress is made with the new Health Secretary, James Murray.
What Should Patients Do?
The industrial action is expected to cause major disruption, with many non-urgent appointments being rearranged across acute NHS hospital trusts in England. Hospitals will have to adjust to reduced staffing levels, as junior doctors make up a substantial portion of the frontline medical workforce.
Elective procedures such as hip replacements, cataract surgeries, and routine scans typically face the highest cancellation rates. Consultants will step in to cover wards, meaning operating theatres and outpatient clinics cannot operate at full capacity.
If you have an appointment scheduled between June 15 and 19, you should still attend unless contacted and told otherwise. The NHS will get in touch if your slot needs to be rescheduled.
How Will You Be Contacted?
The NHS will use your preferred contact method, and may use more than one method to ensure changes are communicated quickly. Patients will be informed via:
- Text message: The fastest and most common method, sent directly to your mobile phone.
- Phone call: Hospital staff or clinic clerks may call you directly, especially for last-minute changes.
- NHS app: You will receive an in-app notification or an update under your "Manage Appointments" section.
- Letter: Less likely for last-minute changes near the strike dates.
If a hospital trust cancels or reschedules your appointment due to the strikes, the decision is final and based on patient safety and available staffing. The NHS must rebook your appointment or operation as a priority and will automatically transfer you to the next available slot.
If your health worsens while waiting for a rescheduled appointment, contact your GP or NHS 111. For serious, life-threatening symptoms, go to A&E immediately, as accident and emergency units continue operating throughout the strike.
