NHS England's national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, warned on 9 April 2023 that the coming round of industrial action would bring "unparalleled levels of disruption" to services across the country, with hundreds of thousands of appointments expected to be postponed again1.
The action immediately follows a four-day bank holiday weekend and will be more extensive than previous rounds, with hospitals facing nearly a hundred hours without up to half of the NHS medical workforce, according to Professor Powis1. He said over 285,000 appointments and procedures had been postponed to date across the cumulative action, and that this now made it more difficult both to keep key services going and to ensure timely rescheduling1. Cancer care is among the areas affected by postponements1.
"This next round of strikes will see unparalleled levels of disruption"
NHS England said it would continue to prioritise emergency, critical and neonatal care, as well as maternity and trauma services1. Professor Powis said the service would, as far as possible, prioritise those who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery, and would only cancel appointments and procedures where necessary, rescheduling as soon as there is space and staff to do so1. He also said there is likely to be a significant impact on a range of local services1.
Why it matters for households
Patients across England with appointments during the strike period may find them postponed, including some in cancer care1. NHS England advises that anyone whose appointment has not been cancelled should attend as normal1. For non-urgent health needs next week, Professor Powis said 111 online should be the first port of call, and that 999 should continue to be used for life-threatening emergencies only1. The health emergencies hub sets out how households can prepare for disruption to health services.
What happens next
NHS England said appointments and procedures would be rescheduled as soon as there is space and staff to do so1. No further dates or details of the industrial action are given in the announcement1.
