NHS faces 'triple whammy of pressure' from June 15

The NHS is facing a "triple whammy of pressure" from Monday (June 15). It comes as the latest resident doctors strike coincides with a heatwave and the World Cup.

Doctors will walk out from 7am on Monday until 6.59am on Friday (June 19) in what will be the 16th round of strike action since 2023. The planned demonstration comes alongside a forecasted heatwave and England's first World Cup match at 9pm on Wednesday (June 17). As a result, the NHS is expecting a rise in activity with the public urged to come forward as usual if they have any issues.

According to the Met Office, the UK will see "periods of strong sunshine" and "very warm" weather from Sunday (June 14) and into the start of next week. The hot weather will remain throughout the remainder of the week, with "generally above normal" temperatures forecast.

Meanwhile, the Three Lions will start their World Cup campaign against Croatia, in Dallas, at 9pm on Wednesday. Pubs and bars across the country are expected to be busy as people cheer on Thomas Tuchel's men from home.

Despite the strike action, the NHS England said that patients should continue to attend all planned appointments unless they are contacted directly to rearrange them. Likewise, anyone with urgent or emergency need should seek care in the normal way.

Professor Frankie Swords, national medical director at NHS England, said: "The NHS remains open as usual during this period of industrial action, with staff across the NHS doing everything they can to keep patients safe and minimise disruption to services.

"With temperatures set to rise again this week and the World Cup kicking off - it will be triple whammy of pressure, but staff will pull together as they always do, to keep the show on the road and ensure people continue to receive the care they need.

"It is important during any heatwave, that people try to stay cool, stay out of the sun, and stay hydrated during the hottest hours, and seek help when they need it, especially those who are vulnerable including the very young, elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

"Please come forward for care as normal, call 999 or attend A&E in an emergency, and use 111 online first for urgent but non-life-threatening support."

When the strike was announced last month, Health Secretary James Murray "made clear" he will not increase the offer to resident doctors. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) said that more strike dates in July could also be announced.

The health secretary said: "I was really disappointed that the resident doctors are going to strike next week."I met them within my first couple of weeks in office and I explained to them my position, which is that there is a really good offer on the table when it comes to pay: a 28.9% increase over the last three years, 4.9% increase this year, which rises to 7.1% for some of the lowest-paid resident doctors.

"We cannot go further on pay, but when it comes to other aspects of the deal, when it comes to job opportunities, to terms and conditions, training options, that is where I want to work with them to strengthen the deal as much as possible. And we have been having some good conversations about that.

"I'm disappointed that, despite having those conversations about how to improve other aspects of the deal, that the strikes are still set to go ahead, and I would urge them, even today, to continue that conversation with us about the other aspects of the deal, other than pay, and make that as strong as possible for their members, because that would be for the benefit of resident doctors and all of us as patients."

Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, added: "Local NHS leaders have become all-too familiar with dealing with industrial action stemming from this long and damaging dispute.

"Yet again, every effort will be made during next week's walkout to minimise disruption to patients, despite potential additional pressures as a result of the weather and the football.

"But there will be some knock-on delays to care which will be hugely frustrating for those affected. And for every stoppage there is a very significant hit to NHS finances.

"Even at this late stage we urge both sides, the Government and the BMA, to get together and resolve this dispute once and for all."