Get the help you need during the resident doctors’ strike

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced strike action by resident doctors from 7am on 7 April 2026 until 7am on 13 April 2026.

During the strikes, there may be fewer doctors working than usual, and they will need to prioritise life saving care. Less urgent cases may experience longer waits during strikes. The NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most.

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, no appointment is needed. Clinicians at the Walk in Centre can prescribe medication, meaning many patients can have their problem assessed, treated and prescribed for in one visit. The Walk in Centre can help with a wide range of illness and injuries that don’t require an x-ray.

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.