Junior doctor Strikes
Resident doctors will be on strike from Friday 25 July to Wednesday 30 July
The NHS in Wakefield District is urging people to plan ahead and to choose the right service for their healthcare needs, as it prepares for five days of industrial action by resident doctors from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July 2025.
Resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) are fully trained doctors with up to eight years of experience – they account for around 50 per cent of doctors working in the NHS.
This means that NHS services will be under a huge amount of pressure leading up to, and during the strike, though hospitals will be doing everything they can to keep disruption to a minimum and ensure the safety of patients.
Dr James Thomas, Medical Director for the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said:
“The safety and care of people who use our services is our highest priority, and it is important that people continue to use our services when they need them.
“NHS teams across West Yorkshire will be working throughout the strike period to keep people safe and well, but services will be affected. Our region’s hospitals and mental health trusts will be significantly impacted, as will some GP practices, and this will have a knock on effect on other parts of the healthcare system.
“That’s why we’re asking everyone to work with us to ensure they’re prepared for their medical needs during the strike action.
“Some hospital appointments and planned treatment may need to be rearranged but please attend any booked appointments unless you hear otherwise. Healthcare teams will contact people as soon as possible if your appointment needs to be changed.
“If you take regular medication, check you have enough, and if you need more, please order and collect it before the planned strikes. Having a well-stocked medicine cabinet can also help with minor injuries or ailments.
“If you or someone close to you needs medical help, please get advice about the most appropriate treatment option by using 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or calling 111 if you don’t have access to the internet. Remember 999 and A&E departments are for the most serious or life-threatening injuries or illnesses.”
NHS 111 is a free, 24 hour online or phone service that provides help and advice on the most appropriate medical care; it can also arrange phone consultations with healthcare professionals and book appointments at urgent treatment and out of hours medical centres. Parents and carers of young children can also find health advice on the West Yorkshire Healthier Together website.
In Wakefield District, you can get face-to-face appointments for urgent problems and book routine appointments in advance and when your own GP practice is closed through the GP Care Wakefield service. The service is available between 5pm and 9.30pm on weekdays; 9am and 5pm on Saturdays; and 9am and 1pm on Sundays and 9am and 3pm on bank holidays. All you need to do is contact your own practice telephone number, at any time of day and you will get through to the right service.
King Street Walk in Centre, Wakefield, is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, between the hours of 10am and 10pm.
Mental health support will continue to be available throughout the strike period. Visit togetherwe-can.com/ for details of local services. For urgent help in a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Regardless of the planned strike action, the NHS is urging anyone who needs medical care to continue to come forward in the normal way: attending booked appointments unless they are contacted; using NHS 111 for advice on which service to use; or calling 999 or going to your nearest emergency department (A&E) if someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.