THE NHS in the South West is preparing for another round of industrial action by resident doctors who this time will be on strike for five days.

The action starts from 7am tomorrow, Friday, until Wednesday November 19.

The latest walkout, the 13th since March 2023, comes after talks between the government and the British Medical Association broke down.

The BMA says it is standing up for doctors and has urged the health secretary to get back to talks.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting maintains resident doctors have received pay rises totalling nearly 30per cent in the past three years.

But the BMA argues that, despite the pay rises, resident doctors’ pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, once inflation is taken into account.

NHS bosses say plans are in place to maintain services at near-normal levels, to minimise disruption for patients.

Their key advice is to use emergency services as usual, if needed, and to attend any planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule.

The strike – the 13th since March 2023 – comes as the NHS is preparing for an early flu season and for winter.

Dr Trevor Smith, NHS England’s Regional Medical Director for the South West, said: ‘We’re doing all we can to make sure the impact on patients is minimised, as even one cancelled appointment means delay for someone who might need treatment, be in pain or is worried about a medical condition.

'We’re hugely grateful to those other staff who are willing to work even harder to provide cover, so services can run as normally as possible.

‘That means we can ask people to use the NHS as they always do – dial 999 if it’s an emergency, use NHS 111, your GP and your pharmacist if it’s less urgent.

‘And please go along to any routine appointment unless and until you’re contacted to say otherwise.’

Full advice for public and patients is available here: