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NHS: Strikes

Asked by Charlie DewhirstConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 11 September 2025UIN 73326

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS staff who are on strike are permitted to work for (a) non-NHS bodies, (b) other NHS trusts and (c) other NHS organisations during days of industrial action.

Answered by Karin Smyth

NHS staff who are on strike are allowed to work for non-NHS bodies and other NHS organisations including NHS trusts on days of industrial action, as long as they are not provided by an employment business to cover the work of striking workers. Some employment contracts may require employees to either declare to or seek permission from their employer before working for another employer.

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