Junior Doctor Strikes: 20th December – 9th January 2024

Posted by: Mark - Posted on:

The British Medical Association (BMA) has advised that some of their members are taking industrial action from 7am on 20 December 2023 until 7am on 23 December 2023. A second period of industrial action will then take place from 7am on 3 January 2024 until 7am on 9 January 2024. As a result, a number of BMA members will be on strike on these days. This includes trainee doctors that work in GP practices. 

Please be aware that this may mean that less appointments are available on these days, but we are doing all we can to maintain access to care for our patients. We may experience a higher volume of calls and contact from patients making enquiries than usual during these dates, please bear with us and be patient during this time.

Please attend your appointment as normal unless you are contacted and told otherwise. We apologise for any inconvenience, please be kind to our colleagues when you speak to them. 

Patients are being reminded that their local NHS is here for them to receive urgent and emergency care during the industrial action – but are being asked to support NHS staff by using services wisely and attending appointments as planned.

Here’s how you can help your NHS during planned industrial action: 

  • Please use A&E or call 999 if you are facing life threatening illness or injury. Your NHS is here for you when you need it – especially if you or your loved ones become seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
  • If your relative is due to be discharged from hospital and needs to be collected, please do whatever you can to help bring them home as early as possible. This will help our teams to free-up a hospital bed for someone waiting to be admitted.
  • The quickest way to receive medical help is via NHS111 online, but you can also use your GP, pharmacy or urgent treatment centre.
  • Pharmacies can offer over-the-counter advice and treat common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, stings and allergies. Many pharmacies are offering additional services for common conditions including urinary tract infections, middle ear infections in young children, skin infections including impetigo, infected eczema and infected insect bites. Find out more about services available at pharmacies.
  • Consider using Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs). They can treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds, and other non-life-threatening conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. We have UTCs at:
    • Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Care Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. You don’t need an appointment to attend. Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA Tel: 0115 883 8500
    • Newark – Newark Hospital is open 9am-10pm (last patient admitted at 9.30pm). It can be found on Boundary Road, NG24 4DE