Londoners urged to continue to attend appointments during resident doctors' strike as cancellations expected

Londoners are being urged to attend medical appointments during the upcoming resident doctors ’ strikes , despite warnings of disruption and cancellations .

Industrial action by the British Medical Association will begin at 7am on 7 April and continue until 7am on 13 April.

Contingency plans have been put in place by hospital trusts across the country, but cancellations and delays are expected .

Dr Chris Streather, medical director for NHS London, said the strikes are likely to take a “toll” on patients and staff.

NHS services in the capital are already under intense pressure, as staff deal with record winter demand, a backlog of care, and the impact of previous industrial action.

The latest NHS Staff Survey, published on 13 March, ranked London as the second-worst region for morale, with a third of health workers saying they often or always feel burnt out.

Patients are being advised to attend appointments unless they are contacted to reschedule.

Dr Streather said: “It is disappointing that resident doctors are once again striking, and this industrial action will take a real toll on patients and NHS staff across London and the country.

“We are doing everything we can to limit the cancellation of appointments, and Londoners should continue to use NHS services in the usual way.

If you have an appointment booked during the strike period, please attend unless you have been contacted and told otherwise.

“These strikes also fall during the Easter holidays, which is particularly difficult for the dedicated NHS colleagues who will be giving up their well-earned rest to ensure patients are kept safe.

“For non-urgent medical help, please use the NHS App, 111 online, your local pharmacist or GP.

If you are facing a life-threatening emergency, please dial 999 without delay.”
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Plans are in place to maintain life-saving care, with the NHS aiming to keep routine services running wherever possible and only rescheduling appointments in exceptional cases where patient safety is at risk.

Around 95 per cent of planned routine care was maintained during the last round of strikes in December 2025, the NHS reports.

All other NHS staff — including consultants, GPs and other specialist doctors — will continue to work throughout the strikes.

The NHS has said it is working closely with the BMA to discuss any patient safety concerns and ensure safe staffing for emergency care remains in place.