During the 2025 resident doctors’ strike, the NHS successfully maintained thousands of patient appointments by implementing strategic planning and empowering local healthcare teams to manage resources effectively
By significantly increasing the number of protected patient appointments during the 2025 resident doctors’ strike compared to previous industrial actions, the NHS showcased its improved planning and local decision-making. Despite concerns of severe disruption, hospitals and clinics worked closely with staff to prioritise urgent care and maintain routine appointments, thereby minimising the impact on patients.
The NHS maintained 93% of planned care during the resident doctors’ strike
Resident doctors make up around half of all doctors in the NHS, and have up to eight years’ experience working in a hospital or up to three years in general practice.
Early estimates indicate that over 10,000 extra patients received their care during last week’s BMA strike [25 July 2025 – 30 July 2025] compared to the previous industrial action [27 June 2024 – 02 July 2024].
During the strike, the NHS upheld its commitment to patient care by maintaining 93% of planned care. This included carrying out operations, tests, and procedures, as well as handling urgent and emergency cases, despite the disruption.
Furthermore, early data show that less than a third of resident doctors chose to strike, with the number of strikers down by 7.5% (1,243) compared to the previous round of industrial action, with most resident doctors choosing to join the NHS-wide effort to keep the services open.
Some NHS trusts have published their activity figures during the junior doctors’ strikes. For example, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust delivered 95% activity, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust also delivered 95% activity, and West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust delivered 98% activity.
The government is urging the BMA to renegotiate
Sir James Mackey, NHS chief executive, said: “The NHS has come together like never before to minimise the impact of strikes on patients, and I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of staff, including many resident doctors, who worked hard to manage the disruption, protect patients, and ensure the NHS remained open for those who needed.
“While this is really good news for the vast majority of patients whose treatment went ahead, we should still acknowledge that there were thousands whose care was disrupted.
“NHS staff will continue to work hard to ensure patients can get their rescheduled care as soon as possible, but for those patients – and for all our staff who had to work extra shifts or with different responsibilities – a repeat of this action will be unacceptable.
“So, I would urge the Resident Doctors Committee to get back to the negotiating table and work with us and the Government on the meaningful improvements we can make to resident doctors working lives.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: “I want to again thank staff from across the NHS who have put in an incredible shift to make sure that the NHS was open to as many patients as possible over the five days of unnecessary strike action.
“Due to the dedication of NHS staff and a different operational approach from previous strikes, we have managed to significantly reduce disruption to patients, with early indications showing that 10,000 extra patients receiving care compared to previous strike action.
“Despite the huge effort made to keep as much planned care as possible going, let’s be clear – these damaging strikes still come at a cost to patients, other staff and the NHS.
“A majority of resident doctors didn’t vote for strike action and data shows that less than a third of residents took part. I want to thank those resident doctors who went to work for their commitment to their patients and to our shared mission to rebuild the NHS.
“I want to end this unnecessary dispute and I will be urging the BMA to work with the government in good faith in our shared endeavour to improve the working lives of resident doctors, rather than pursuing more reckless strike action. It’s time to move past this cycle of disruption and focus on our shared mission to build on our Plan for Change and create an NHS fit for the future.”
Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said: “NHS leaders and their teams have worked incredibly hard to maintain levels of planned activity over the most recent strike period. This result is a testament to their careful planning, and their commitment to patients and tackling the elective waiting list in line with the government’s priorities.
“However, this will be of no comfort to those patients whose appointments, procedures and operations were cancelled as a result of the resident doctors strike last week.
“We urge the BMA to focus on discussions on non-pay measures, rather than planning more strikes.”
