Resident doctor industrial action, 7-13 April 2026

Resident doctors will take strike action from 7–13 April, affecting services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University Hospital Lewisham, with some disruption expected for patients. 

For people in Greenwich, the message is clear: most care will continue, but some planned appointments may be postponed at short notice. If your appointment is affected, you will be contacted directly—so it’s important to check messages and avoid travelling unless you’ve been told to attend. 

Emergency, urgent care and maternity services will remain open throughout the strike period. In a life-threatening situation, call 999 or go to A&E as normal. However, for less urgent concerns, residents are being urged to use NHS 111, where trained advisors can direct you to the most appropriate service. This could help avoid long waits in busy emergency departments. 

Community appointments, including those in health centres or at home, are expected to go ahead. Patients should attend unless told otherwise. To reduce pressure on services, residents—particularly those caring for vulnerable people—are encouraged to plan ahead. This includes ordering repeat prescriptions early and seeking GP advice where possible. 

During periods of industrial action, delays are likely, particularly in A&E for non-life-threatening conditions. Understanding where to go for care can make a significant difference, both for individual patients and the wider community. 

Support remains available, but knowing how to access the right service at the right time will be key for Greenwich residents over the coming days. 

Kindly note in summary: 

Only go to the Emergency Department (A&E) or call 999 for a life-threatening emergency or serious injury 

If you are unwell, contact your GP 

If you cannot contact your GP, go to NHS 111 online 

For a mental health emergency go to NHS 111 online 

And you can also visit your local pharmacy for expert advice and medicines.