NHS briefing: Industrial action winter 2023
Potential NHS strikes
A number of NHS trade unions in England have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action.
- Wednesday 11 January from 11 am until 11pm (London Ambulance Service). Ambulance services are also expected to take action on Monday 23 January.
- Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 January. RCN members plan to take strike action at St George’s Hospital, Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare and the South West London ICB.
- Monday 23 January 12midday until 12midnight (London Ambulance Service)
What the NHS is doing
The role of the NHS during any industrial action is to ensure that patients are kept as safe as possible and that services are maintained as effectively as possible.
Messages for the public
Nobody should put off seeking emergency care. Key life-saving services are set to continue.
Patients whose conditions are not life-threatening are likely to experience delays in accessing urgent care in affected trusts and during ambulance strikes.
Patients should attend as normal during strike days. Some planned care appointments may be rescheduled. Hospitals will contact patients directly if their appointments need to be rescheduled due to industrial action.
As always, anyone who needs less urgent care can also use NHS 111 online for advice.
Primary care is not affected by the current planned strikes, so people should continue to attend their GP or dental appointments.
