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General Practitioners: Strikes

Asked by Blake StephensonConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 15 September 2025UIN 75398

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doctors’ strikes on the measures in his 10 Year Health Plan.

Answered by Karin Smyth

Whilst the Department has not made a specific assessment, there is data which demonstrates the number of appointments rescheduled because of strike action. This is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/08/nhs-publishes-strike-impact-data-following-a-record-june-for-treatments/

Any resident doctor strike action will undeniably have a damaging effect on patient safety, hospital care, and some of the measures in the 10-Year Health Plan. Strikes are in nobody’s interest and ongoing action puts additional pressure on the National Health Service and staff who continue to work hard to keep services running and provide much needed care to the public.

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