The NHS is urging people to not to put off coming forward for care, with resident doctors expected to strike for five days from today (Wednesday 17 December).
Industrial action begins at 7am on Wednesday 17 December, lasting until 7am on Monday 22 December. Hospital teams across the country are working to ensure disruption is minimised for patients.
Plans are in place to continue life-saving care, while keeping as much routine care and scheduled operations going as possible.
It is vital that people continue to come forward for care as normal, including attending appointments unless they are contacted directly by the NHS to rearrange them. Inevitably, some non-urgent appointments may need to be postponed, and we apologise for any inconvenience or worry this may cause.
While staff will go above and beyond to maintain safe care, more people may feel the impact of this round of industrial action. We would also ask the public to help us by using NHS services appropriately — dialling 999 in an emergency, and for other health concerns using NHS 111 online, your local pharmacist or your GP — so that urgent care is available for those who need it most.
Dr Matthew Sweeting, Executive Medical Director at NHS Mid and South Essex
The plea comes as hospitals across mid and south Essex are also experiencing increased demand due to the flu season arriving early this year.
The NHS has been pushing to get more people vaccinated against flu, including ramping up the offer of free flu jabs in community pop-up clinics and via GP practices and pharmacies.
The push has seen results with 451,275 flu vaccines delivered in the first week of December – up by 28,000 when compared with the equivalent week last year (422,934 in 2024).
More than 17.4 million flu vaccines have been delivered so far this year, 170,000 more than this time last year, including over 60,000 frontline healthcare workers.
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 during strikes.
GP practices will continue to be open and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available for those who need them.
The public should use 111 online as the first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues during industrial action so that they can be directed to the best place for their needs.
Patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal.