The QEH is reassuring patients that essential and life‑preserving care will continue throughout the forthcoming six‑day period of industrial action by resident doctors, due to take place from 7am on Tuesday 7 April to 06.59am on Monday 13 April 2026.
This strike – the 15th round of resident doctor action – is scheduled to start immediately after the Easter holiday period, when staffing levels across the NHS are already reduced as many colleagues take planned leave to rest and recover.
The QEH is working closely with consultants, specialty doctors, nurses and wider clinical teams to ensure safe staffing during the industrial action.
It is important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
Members of the public are advised to attend any planned appointments scheduled during the strikes unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
Resident doctors are fully qualified doctors who work in hospitals while completing their specialist training. They play a vital role in delivering day‑to‑day patient care, particularly across ward areas and urgent and emergency services.
Dawn Collins, Interim Chief Nurse at The QEH, said: “This period of strike action follows directly after the Easter holidays, when staffing is already stretched, so we have prepared very carefully to keep patients safe. I would like to thank our teams who are adjusting their own plans to support services during what will be a challenging time.
“We understand that continued industrial action can be frustrating for patients, and we are grateful for the kindness, patience and understanding shown to our staff. Please use NHS services wisely so we can focus our efforts on those who need urgent care.”
Professor Edward Morris, Regional Medical Director for the NHS in the East of England, said: “Our patients and staff will be incredibly frustrated to hear that the British Medical Association has decided to go ahead with yet another round of industrial action just as there are positive signs of reductions in waiting times and improvements in service delivery coming out of the busy winter period.
“Thanks to the actions of NHS staff during the last period of resident doctor industrial action, the NHS managed to continue delivering almost 95% of its planned routine care.
“These strikes come at a significant cost for hard-working NHS colleagues – as some will no doubt see their holiday and bank holiday plans disrupted. This action adds further pressure on staff and an already busy service.
“During the strikes, there may be fewer doctors working than usual, and they will need to prioritise life-saving care so less urgent cases may experience longer waits.
“Whilst some appointments will inevitably need to be rescheduled, teams will be working hard to maintain care and limit disruption as much as possible.
If you are in an emergency, you should still dial 999, and for anything else use 111 online, your local pharmacist or GP.”
How to use services wisely
• Only use 999 or our Emergency Department for life‑threatening conditions, such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, stroke symptoms or severe bleeding
• Use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or call 111 for urgent but non‑emergency medical concerns
• Attend your hospital appointment unless you are contacted directly to reschedule
• Cancel any appointment you cannot attend using the number on your appointment letter
• For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option
• For non‑urgent health issues, contact your GP practice or local pharmacist
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