Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that patients will continue to receive essential care and services in the event of any industrial action amongst staff in the National Health Service.

Employers and trade unions should discuss local derogations, which will identify those services exempt from strike action in order to protect patient safety. The Department is working with NHS England which is accountable for operational planning and assurance in the event of any industrial action.

Exercise ‘Arctic Willow’, a multi-day exercise for integrated care boards (ICBs) and trusts, is currently taking place. This will test the system to ensure services can respond to multiple, concurrent events. Data from this exercise will be coordinated through ICBs and returned to NHS England. Findings will be complete by mid-December.