Health professionals in England’s National Health Service (NHS) are preparing for a strike. Consultants are conducting to strike on July 20 and 21, 2023, and later on August 24 and 25, 2023. However, no additional dates for the junior doctors’ strike have been scheduled yet.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is not a union, so it doesn’t handle employment terms and conditions. Nevertheless, they understand and support their member’s and colleagues’ right to go on strike and the reasons behind it.

A Strike action planned by junior doctors and consultants in England

Right now, the NHS is facing a massive demand for healthcare, and there are not enough workers to keep up. The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is a plan to address this issue, but it’s not entirely clear how they will recruit, train, and retain enough staff in certain specialities, like obstetrics and gynaecology.

The safety of patients is a top priority, and long strikes can have a tremendous impact on them. Everyone hopes all involved parties can come together and find a solution before the strike dates to benefit patients, the public, and all NHS staff.

During the strike, people should attend their planned NHS appointments unless told otherwise. For advice and care, they can contact NHS 111, pharmacies, or their GP. Pregnant women with concerns about their health or their baby should not hesitate to reach out to the maternity unit or GP for help. The consultants who are striking will still provide essential care, including maternity services, but they won’t do any non-emergency work.

Let’s hope that everyone can work together and find a resolution for the sake of everyone involved in the NHS.