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BMA resident doctors strike - Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Home > News > BMA resident doctors strike

BMA resident doctors strike

During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate.

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The BMA resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) in England will be taking part in strike action this week from 7am on Friday 14 November to 7am on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

The strike action means the BMA is asking resident doctors to:

  • Not begin any shift that is due to start after 06.59am on Friday 14 November
  • Or before 06.59am on Wednesday 19 November.

During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and our focus is making sure as many services as possible continue to operate.

It is really important that you continue to come forward as normal for urgent medical care – especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured.

We are working hard to minimise the impact this action has on patients. We expect all routine and planned care to go ahead. However, we may need to reschedule some appointments.

If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled.

Important advice:

Some key messages for patients and the public:

  • If you are seriously ill or injured, or your life is at risk, you should continue to come forward and seek emergency care in the usual way.  Call 999 or attend the emergency department.
  • If you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not a life-threatening situation, our urgent treatment centres are open every day of the year for minor illness and injury.
  • If you need urgent medical help or advice (that won’t wait for a GP appointment), or if you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital, go to NHS 111 online first.  If you do not have internet access then call 111 for free from any phone. Please do not turn up to hospital without using 111 first. You can also visit your nearest pharmacy.
  • If you need urgent mental health support, you can use NHS 111 online to find out what to do next.
  • If you have a planned appointment on the days of strike, please attend as planned, unless we have contacted you. We will contact you if we need to reschedule your appointment due to strike action.

Frequently asked questions

What is happening?

Resident doctors who are members of the BMA have voted to take strike action. The period of strike action will begin at 7am on Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November.

What if I need urgent or emergency care?

Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online – you can also access this through the NHS App. You will be assessed and directed to the right care.

If you do not have internet access, then the free, 24/7 111 phone line is also available.

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.

What if I have an appointment on strike days?

If you have an appointment you should attend as planned, unless we have contacted you to reschedule.

If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal.

If you were due to come into hospital using patient transport ambulance services and your appointment has been postponed, please let them know.

When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?

We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a letter or phone call

You should be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

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 – you continue to come forward as normal.

Is there anything I should do now?

No. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

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.

Will dentists be impacted?

Please continue to attend any dental appointments unless you are contacted and told otherwise

Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?

No – If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. If you are not sure if your appointment is going ahead, please contact the clinic or department in your letter.

How long will services be impacted?

This is a continuous strike – day and night – and will take place from 7am on Friday 14 November to 7am on Wednesday 19 November 2025.