John Radcliffe Hospital among sites hit by strike disruption

People in Oxfordshire are being urged to choose services appropriately during the industrial action, which started at 7am on Tuesday, April 7.

Strikes have been called by the British Medical Association rejected a government offer for a 4.9 per cent increase in average basic pay from 2026 to 2027.

Disruption is expected to patient appointments and waiting times at A&E until the strike is due to end at 7am on Monday, April 13, Oxford University Hospitals Trust said.

Some appointements and planned inpatient and day case procedures will be rescheduled as a consequence to keep existing hospital patients safe, the trust added.

A spokeman said: “If you have not heard from us by the day of your appointment, please come to your procedure or appointment as planned.

“We are doing everything possible to prioritise patients with the highest clinical needs, and those who have already waited a long time for their treatment.”

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Felicity Taylor-Drewe, chief operating officer at OUH, said: “As always, our top priority during this planned industrial action is ensuring patient safety while maintaining the highest standard of care.

“We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum, and we have measures in place to ensure the safety and welfare of our patients and our staff.

Felicity Taylor-Drewe is the chief operating officer of OUH (Image: OUH)

“However, with industrial action reducing the number of resident doctors we have working in our hospitals, there will inevitably be a knock-on effect.

“Patients may experience longer waiting times, particularly in our two emergency departments at the John Radcliffe and Horton General Hospitals.

“We will prioritise patients who are in genuine need of emergency care. It is important that patients requiring urgent medical care continue to seek help as usual, especially in emergencies and life-threatening situations.”

She added: “Our staff are working extremely hard during this challenging period – please do treat them with respect. We do not tolerate aggressive or abusive behaviour towards our staff.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (Image: PA)

Lalitha Iyer, chief medical officer at the newly formed Thames Valley ICB, urged people to choose services “appropriately” to ensure those who need it most get it.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, said the government “quietly watered down” the deal on offer to resident doctors.

But health secretary Wes Streeting said the now rejected offer would have left resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, 35.2 per cent better off than four years ago.

The latest strike is the 15th walkout by resident doctors in England since 2023.