The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that their resident doctor members will strike for five days from 7am on Wednesday 17 December to 7am on Monday 22 December 2025.
Resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) are fully trained doctors with up to eight years of experience – they account for around 50% 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. Hospitals will be doing everything they can to keep disruption to a minimum and ensure the safety of patients.
NHS teams across Bradford District and Craven continue to work hard to minimise disruption from the industrial action but it is expected that there will be a significant impact on local health services.
Some hospital appointments and planned treatment may need to be rearranged. Healthcare teams will contact people as soon as possible if your appointment needs to be changed. If you do not hear from your healthcare team your appointment will be going ahead as planned.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important that people who need urgent medical care continue to come forward, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
NHS 111: If you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital, go to NHS 111 online or call 111. In a life-threatening emergency you should still call 999 (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).
During strike days, it is likely 999 call handlers will be very busy. NHS 111 call centres will have fewer staff, with longer call response times expected across the system. As a result, we are urging anyone with non-urgent care need to first seek help from NHS 111 online.
A range of local services will continue to be available to meet your healthcare needs during the industrial action, including GP practices and community pharmacies, though these services may also be impacted by strike action.
Your GP: The majority of practices in West Yorkshire will remain open during the strike, though many will be under increased pressure. Do continue to attend your GP appointments unless you have been contacted and told otherwise.
Your local pharmacy: Pharmacists are trained health professionals who can help with your medication questions and minor health concerns such as headaches, sore throats and aches and pains. They can also prescribe medication, if needed, for a number of common conditions, including urinary tract infections, shingles, sinusitis, earache and infected insect bites. Many offer private consultations without an appointment, and can advise where to get further help if you need it.
Visit togetherwe-can.com for details of local services and information about how to manage common health conditions and get the right help when you need it. If you’re worried about your child’s health, you can find online healthcare advice recommended by local healthcare professionals at wyhealthiertogether.nhs.uk
Support for your mental health can be found online at Healthy Minds – Mental health support in Bradford and Craven or if you need urgent mental health support, call First Response 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 952 1181.