Information on resident doctors strike

A message from Surrey NHS

As resident doctors in Surrey get ready to take part in further strike action, Surrey’s NHS is encouraging people to use services responsibly, ahead of further disruption to services over the coming days. 

This time the impact of industrial action is expected to be exacerbated by the high demand for services already being experienced, with cases of flu peaking earlier and predicted to grow, amid mounting concerns over what is expected to be one of the worst flu seasons the NHS has experienced.

This comes as resident doctors from the British Medical Association (BMA) plan to strike for a further five consecutive days from 07:00 on Friday 14th November until 06:59 on 19 November.

As we move into winter, cold weather can also lead to more people seeking urgent care for certain conditions, including people with respiratory and breathing problems so, ahead of the strike action, Surrey’s Joint Chief Medical Officer is urging people to help the local NHS by using the right service, including making full use of local minor injury and walk-in centres if they do need urgent help, so people who are critically unwell can get the care they need.

Professor Andy Rhodes, Joint Chief Medical Officer for NHS Surrey Heartlands explains:

We have well-rehearsed plans in place to manage periods of disruption, working together across health and care organisations – but as we move into winter, services are already pressured with more cases of flu and other winter-related illnesses so we expect the coming days to be challenging as work together to keep essential services running with fewer staff. 

Trusts are putting arrangements in place and will work to minimise disruption to routine appointments and planned procedures where possible but with resident doctors representing a significant proportion of our wider workforce, unfortunately we again expect to see some disruption as we prioritise urgent, emergency, trauma, maternity and care for those who need us most.

As we move into this period of planned action, we are again asking members of the public for their support in using services responsibly and appropriately, making full use of NHS 111, local walk-in centres and urgent treatment centres, to help us keep A&E and 999 for those who are critically unwell.

Over the coming days services are likely to be busier and waits may be longer so we are also asking people to be patient, as our frontline teams continue to work incredibly hard, as they prioritise critical services and make sure people get the care they need.

If people need to access health advice and treatment during this period of planned industrial action we are encouraging them to still come forward – and to use services appropriately: 

  • People should continue to use pharmacies, GP practices, walk-in centres, the NHS App and NHS 111 online or by phone 24/7 for urgent health advice
  • People should only use 999 and A&E for serious or life-threatening conditions or medical emergencies (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).
  • If appointments or procedures have been affected by industrial action the local NHS will contact people directly to reschedule them as soon as possible. If people haven’t been contacted, they should attend appointments as usual.

Mark Roland, Chief Medical Officer at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust added:

During this period of industrial action, we have a robust action plan to ensure that we maintain essential and time-critical services, but our Emergency Department will be busier than normal. We have tried to limit disruption to planned and elective appointments, but we have had to reschedule some appointments. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as normal.

There are a number of alternatives to the Emergency Department that may be more appropriate. You can call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk who can direct you to the most appropriate care, which can include your local pharmacy or the urgent treatment centres in Ashford, Chertsey and Woking. Please do still come to the Emergency Department if you need emergency care for serious or life-threatening illness or injury. These include severe bleeding, severe breathing difficulties, severe chest pain, severe burns, suspected stroke or loss of consciousness.

There are Minor Injury Units, Urgent Treatment Centres and Walk-in Centres across Surrey. Full details of local services, and what they can treat, can be found on the Surrey Heartlands website and people should use NHS 111 online or call 111 for advice 24/7 if they are not sure which service they need.

Published on 13 November 2025