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Original poster

Emergency care for children in NHS strikes

32 replies

alittlebitnervous1 · 11/11/2025 13:51

My husband thinks I am completely BU but I am not sure. With the upcoming strikes in the NHS I am really nervous, what if we (or more specifically, my child) needs A&E treatment during those days? Will they still do emergency surgery etc.? (Not British myself so I am genuinely unsure how those things work!)

OP posts:
Original poster
alittlebitnervous1 · 11/11/2025 14:25

AwkwardPaws27 · 11/11/2025 13:59

Yes - DH had his appendix removed during the last junior doctors strike. The wait in A&E was longer than usual, & he didn't get a bed until they did the surgery, but it was all fine. The nursing staff were absolutely fantastic as was the surgical team, but it took longer to get things like pain relief and for tests to come back as there were fewer doctors to write it up / interpret results etc.

Thank you so much for sharing this! Great to know and glad he got good care.

OP posts:
Original poster
alittlebitnervous1 · 11/11/2025 14:20

SockQueen · 11/11/2025 13:55

Emergency activity should not be significantly affected; they will be covering services with consultants and/or doctors in non-training posts. I'm a consultant anaesthetist on call on the Saturday and very much expect to still be providing a full service!

Thank you so much. This is so reassuring to read and made me feel a lot better. Thank you for doing such an important and amazing job!

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 11/11/2025 13:59

Yes - DH had his appendix removed during the last junior doctors strike. The wait in A&E was longer than usual, & he didn't get a bed until they did the surgery, but it was all fine. The nursing staff were absolutely fantastic as was the surgical team, but it took longer to get things like pain relief and for tests to come back as there were fewer doctors to write it up / interpret results etc.

Jellyjellyonaplate · 11/11/2025 13:57

There will definitely be paeds emergency care and your kid would be more likely to be treated by a consultant.

SockQueen · 11/11/2025 13:55

Emergency activity should not be significantly affected; they will be covering services with consultants and/or doctors in non-training posts. I'm a consultant anaesthetist on call on the Saturday and very much expect to still be providing a full service!

ElGatita · 11/11/2025 13:55

Emergency cover will always be provided, including emergency surgery.

Elective activities, including clinics and elective surgery will be cancelled.

As always, only go to A&E if you have a true emergency.

Needmorelego · 11/11/2025 13:53

They always do emergency treatment during strikes.
It will be planned appointments that might be cancelled.