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National doctors’ industrial action update

From 7am on Tuesday 7 April until 7am on Monday 13 April, resident doctors who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) are taking national strike action.  

Strike action will affect a number of NHS trusts, including North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW).   

The industrial action is a national dispute between the government and trade unions.  

Patient safety is our top priority. We have tried and tested plans in place and are committed to keeping disruption caused by the industrial action to a minimum.  

Appointments  

If you have an appointment during the period of strike action, please attend your appointment unless you hear from us. Please don't call to check if your appointment is going ahead. We will be in touch with patients directly if we need to rearrange your appointment.  

If you are unwell, including symptoms of a cold, flu, COVID 19, diarrhoea, sickness, a sore throat, or fever, please do not attend your appointment and contact us to reschedule. 

Our emergency departments (EDs)  

Our urgent and emergency services are continuing to run throughout the industrial action. If you have a life-threatening emergency, our emergency departments at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, and Southmead Hospital remain open 24 hours a day. And at Weston General Hospital the emergency department remains open 14 hours a day (8am-10pm), as usual.  

Please be aware, that like the wider NHS and local health and care system, all of our hospitals are really busy:  

  • If you have a minor illness or minor injury, local GP surgeries and pharmacies will be open during the days of industrial action.  
  • If you have an urgent medical problem that isn't an emergency and aren't sure what to do, contact 111 first by phone or online - they will provide immediate medical advice and direct you to the best care for your needs.  

For more information on when to call 999  and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website. 

Visiting patients  

We continue to welcome family members and loved ones to visit patients at our hospitals during strike action.  

Please do not visit if you are unwell, including symptoms of a cold, flu, COVID 19, diarrhoea, sickness, a sore throat, or fever. 

For more information  

Visit: Industrial action and local NHS pressures: April 2026 - BNSSG Healthier Together   

Visit: NHS England » Information for the public on industrial action