Resident doctor strike: 7th to 13th April

Resident Doctors (previously called Junior Doctors) will be taking strike action from Tuesday 7th to Monday 13th April.

This will affect NHS services, including GP practices, and may mean longer waiting times.

We want to help you understand what this means and how to access care during this time.

What this means for you

The start of any week is usually our busiest time, and this is even more so following a Bank Holiday.

Over Easter, the practice is closed for 4 days. During this time, appointment requests, prescriptions, and general enquiries build up and are processed when we reopen.

At the same time, fewer doctors will be available due to the strike.

This combination means:

• Higher demand for appointments
• Fewer appointments available
• Longer waiting times

It also has a wider impact across the NHS.

With fewer GPs available, it becomes harder to prioritise patients safely. Our nursing team and advanced practitioners will help support demand, but they will be busier, too.

Hospital services are also affected during strike action. This can lead to delays or cancellations for appointments, treatments, and referrals. In turn, more patients may contact us for updates or support while waiting for hospital care.

When to contact us urgently

Please contact us if you need help today.

This includes:

• A new problem that has come on suddenly
• A long-term condition that has got worse
• Feeling much worse than you did yesterday

If you are unsure, please still get in touch. We are here to help.

When to wait

If your request is not urgent, please consider waiting until after the strike.

This includes:

• Fit notes
• Letters or forms
• Ongoing problems that are not getting worse

This helps us prioritise patients who need urgent car

Other ways to get help

You may be able to get support more quickly using these services:

NHS 111

Get advice online, by phone, or through the NHS App for urgent medical help that is not life-threatening.

NHS App

You can:

• Order repeat prescriptions
• Check your referral status
• Request fit notes

Pharmacy First

Local pharmacies can treat many common conditions without a GP appointment, including:

• Earache (ages 1 to 17)
• Impetigo and skin infections (age 1+)
• Infected insect bites (age 1+)
• Shingles (18+)
• Sinusitis (12+)
• Sore throat (5+)
• Urinary tract infections in women (16 to 64)

You do not need an appointment, and pharmacies are often open during evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays.

Thank you

We understand this may be frustrating. Our team will continue to work hard to provide safe care and support during this time.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.