Publish date: 10 June 2026
With warmer temperatures forecast and major events bringing communities together, health leaders are encouraging people to stay safe and help ease pressure on NHS services by making informed choices about when and how to access care during upcoming industrial action.
People across Cheshire and Merseyside are being urged to use NHS 111 or the NHS App for non-emergency healthcare needs ahead of planned industrial action by resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors).The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced walkout of resident doctors, beginning at 7am on Monday 15 June and ending at 6:59am on Friday 19 June 2026.Almost half of all hospital doctors are resident doctors, working across services including A&E, theatres and wards.
The industrial action is expected to cause disruption to NHS services across the region. While the NHS has tried and tested plans in place to maintain patient safety and manage disruption, some services will be affected due to the scale of the walkout.
The NHS will also continue to deliver planned care where possible, particularly for patients with the greatest clinical need. Patients are asked to attend appointments as planned unless contacted directly to rearrange.
People are being urged to make NHS 111 their first point of contact for urgent, non-emergency healthcare needs. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week online, by phone or via the NHS App, and can help with:
• Where to get help for your symptoms
• General health information and advice
• Emergency supplies of prescribed medicines
• Repeat prescriptions
• Emergency dental appointments
If needed, NHS 111 can arrange a call back from a healthcare professional or book an appointment with the most appropriate local service.
