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.
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.
