Resident Doctors Industrial Action (14-19 November)

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that resident doctors will take strike action from 7am on Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November.

This latest period of industrial action comes as the NHS continues to manage the busy winter period. While strikes are taking place, consultants, specialist doctors and all other NHS staff will continue to work, with the focus on maintaining safe services and prioritising care for those who need it most.

UHNM will continue to work closely with the BMA to ensure patient safety is protected and safe staffing levels are in place for emergency and urgent care throughout the strike period.

Dr Mark Poulson, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at UHNM, said:  “Our Emergency Department at Royal Stoke University Hospital will remain open 24 hours a day for anyone who needs it. If someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk, please continue to come forward as normal or call 999. For urgent but non-life-threatening needs, please use NHS 111 online as the first point of contact they can direct you to the most appropriate service.”

During the strikes, there will be fewer doctors working than usual, and teams will need to prioritise life-saving and emergency care. This means that less urgent cases may experience longer waits, and some appointments or procedures may need to be rescheduled.

If you have a hospital appointment booked, please attend as planned unless you are contacted by UHNM. You will be informed directly if your appointment needs to be rearranged.

Thanks to the dedication of NHS staff during the last period of industrial action in July 2025 — including many resident doctors who volunteered for extra shifts — UHNM was able to maintain more planned activity than during previous strikes.

With an expected rise in flu cases following this period of action, and in preparation for peak winter pressures, UHNM is focusing not only on maintaining performance during the strikes but also on recovering services as quickly as possible afterwards.

Patients can help by using NHS services appropriately and taking simple steps to ensure care is available for those who need it most:

• Use NHS 111 online for advice on urgent medical needs.
• Only call 999 or attend A&E in a life-threatening emergency.
• Continue to attend your appointment unless UHNM contacts you to reschedule.

For more information on when to call 999 or go to A&E, visit the NHS website.