NHS Strike action and FAQ
How long will services be impacted?
The nurses’ strikes will last for 12 hours. Ambulance worker strikes will last for up to 26 hours
and physiotherapy strikes will last for 24 hours. However, patients should be aware that it may
take slightly longer for services to return to normal.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless your local NHS provider
has contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your
appointment even if your Trust is affected by strikes.
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 text, phone call or a letter, and you should be offered an alternative date
for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as
planned.
If my appointment is rescheduled, will I be put back to the bottom of the waiting list?
Any appointments that need to be rescheduled will be done so as a priority.
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 has not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
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.
I have a loved one who will be a hospital inpatient on strike day – how will their care be
affected?
All hospital inpatients will be informed of how their care will be impacted on a ward-by-ward
basis by the staff involved in delivering their care.
What should I do if I need an ambulance?
On strike days, patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life.
Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.
For all other health care needs support will be available through NHS 111 online, via the NHS
111 helpline or at your local GP or pharmacy.
The NHS.UK website has more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E.
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. If you do not have internet access then 111 helpline is
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 or attending A&E.
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.
What is considered an emergency?
Patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, or there is risk to life. Ambulances will be
dispatched where clinically appropriate.
