Choose the right NHS service during industrial action

People are being urged to choose the right NHS service during the resident doctor industrial action. Resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) began taking strike action from 7am on Friday 14th November 2025 until 7am on Wednesday 19th November 2025.

Dr Dave Briggs, Executive Director of Outcomes (Medical) for the Cluster of Derby & Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Boards, said: “Resident doctors do a vital job, so losing this huge part of our workforce will have a big impact on our local NHS services and waiting times in Emergency Departments could be longer than usual.

“There are a range of NHS services available for different needs, such as pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and mental health crisis support. If you’re not sure which service is best, please visit NHS111 or phone 111 to be directed to the right place.”

Dr Gis Robinson, Executive Chief Medical Officer at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, said: "During industrial action, our hospitals continue to be open for anyone who needs our care. We’re working hard to minimise any impact on patients, and will only reschedule appointments if absolutely necessary - so please attend yours unless we have contacted you.

"It is important to still access urgent medical care if you need it. For emergency and life-threatening cases, please call 999 or visit A&E. If your condition isn’t urgent, please consider using other NHS services such as NHS 111, your local pharmacy, GP, or an Urgent Treatment Centre."

Anyone with an NHS appointment during the industrial action should attend unless they have been contacted to say it has been postponed.

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important that people who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.

People in a mental health crisis should continue to seek support as normal during the Industrial Action period. Details of local support services can be found on the Derby and Derbyshire emotional health and wellbeing site. Services include safe havens, crisis drop-in services and The 24/7 Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service (111 option 2) which will be running as normal.