Publish date: 14 December 2023
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced further rounds of strikes by junior doctors in December 2023 and early January 2024.
The first walkout is scheduled to take place from 7am on the 20 December to 7am on the 23 December 2023
This action is planned to be quickly followed by further strike action from 7am on the 3 January to 7am on the 9 January 2024.
The industrial action – coming at the busiest time for the NHS – will cause significant disruption.
NHS Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside are set to be severely impacted - with significant service disruption highly likely.
NHS pay is a matter for the Government and trade unions.
The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage any disruption, including industrial action, but inevitably there will be some service disruption on strike days, with information about the impact of industrial action published nationally here.
Emergency care and other critical services such as maternity departments will be open as usual and life-threatening calls responded to. People should always call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency.
Local services will keep their websites and social media accounts up-to-date with information about service disruption – so please check before you travel.
Irrespective of any industrial action, please do not hesitate to come forward to access care if you need it. We’re urging people to make NHS 111 Online their first port of call if they need urgent health advice on days of strike action.
NHS 111 Online can tell you:
- Where to get help for your symptoms
- How to find general health information and advice
- Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
- How to get a repeat prescription
