24 July 2025

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that industrial action by resident doctors (formally known as junior doctors) will take place across England for five days from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July. 

This action will impact services across all Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust services, so we wanted to update our communities on how they can support us during this time. 

The safety of our patients remains our top priority and we have plans in place to ensure minimal impact on the quality of the care you or your loved ones receive during this time. During the strike period, we will prioritise resources to provide all aspects of urgent and emergency care and try to minimise the cancellation of planned operations and appointments.

Below you can find some further information: 

  • Appointments - we plan to continue providing as much planned care as possible because we know how important this is for our patients. Please continue to attend any appointments and if we need to change anything, we will contact you directly. 
  • Our Emergency Department (ED) - if you have a life-threatening emergency, our ED remains open. If you are seriously ill or injured, or your life is at risk, please continue to seek urgent care. Patients who could be seen elsewhere, may be redirected to another more appropriate service, so that we can prioritise those individuals who most need our care. 
  • Accessing other services – GP surgeries, community pharmacies and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) will remain open as usual, so continue to use these as you would normally. NHS 111 will also be able to offer advice about which is the right service for your needs.  

Please continue to treat all our staff with respect and thank you for your support. 

How can you help? 

  • Unsure where to get urgent help - If your need is urgent, but not an emergency, please contact your GP practice as usual during opening hours or use NHS 111 Online to be assessed and directed to the right place for your needs. You can also use NHS 111 for help with an unwell child or mental health concern. 
  • If you have an unwell child or are pregnant – you can get help and advice on a range on common conditions from the Healthier Together website or download the app for free. 
  • Help get your loved ones home – check when your loved one is ready to be discharged so you can arrange transport and make sure they have everything they need (such as clothing and keys) to return home. 
  • Self-care - a well-stocked first-aid kit could help you self-care at home. Useful items include paracetamol and aspirin, re-hydration remedies, antiseptic cream, plasters, antihistamines, sunscreen, and after-sun.