Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce (1) the number of NHS strikes, and (2) the impact of NHS strikes on patients.

We will work constructively with all unions to improve working conditions for staff working in the National Health Service, avoid strike action, and build an NHS fit for the future.

On 22 March, a comprehensive offer developed with the British Medical Association’s Resident Doctor Committee’s (BMA RDC) leadership was made by the Government to the wider BMA RDC which addressed their concerns about their pay, their career progression, and their working lives. It is enormously disappointing for NHS patients and staff that they rejected this offer and called for further strike action. However, there is still a deal on the table, and our door is open to the BMA RDC as we seek to resolve this dispute.

The priority during any industrial action is to keep patients as safe as possible by minimising the impact of strikes. The NHS works hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity services, and trauma care during strike periods, while also prioritising patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

An operational response led by NHS England was stood up in advance of strike action to prepare for and mitigate impacts, with NHS England working closely with trusts and local systems on contingency planning and operational readiness.

Thanks to careful planning and the dedication of NHS staff, the NHS has previously been able to maintain approximately 95% of planned care during some strike periods, while continuing to deliver critical services.