Ahead of the upcoming strike action, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) is urging the local community to choose services wiselyover the comings days to help ensure care is available for patients who need it most during a new round of industrial action.
Resident doctors who are members of The British Medical Association (BMA), are expected to take part in industrial action from 7am, Friday 14 November to 7am, Wednesday 19 November 2025.
While NHS services are likely to be exceptionally busy and disruption should be expected, it’s important that those who need urgent and emergency care should still come forward.
During previous strikes, high numbers of patients have still attended East Surrey Hospital’s Emergency Department. It is therefore vital that people who need care choose services wisely over the next few days and consider if an urgent treatment centre or minor injury unit can help. This will help ensure care is available to patients who need it most.
This includes using NHS 111, walk-in-centres, GP practices, pharmacies, Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre and the Minor Injury Units at Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead for non-life-threatening care, and only using 999 or East Surrey emergency department in a genuine emergency – such as if you are seriously ill or experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
Hospital staff will be working round the clock to ensure the safe care of all patients who need urgent and emergency treatment, as well as maintaining as much routine care as possible, and while disruption should be expected, the Trust are working hard to minimise this. People should therefore not put off seeking vital care on strike days and should continue to attend any planned appointments unless they have been contacted to rearrange.
Ed Cetti, Chief Medical Officer, said:
“Our services will be exceptionally busy both during and after the industrial action. While we will be working around the clock to minimise disruption, care for those who need us and support patients awaiting discharge to ensure people are in the right healthcare setting for their needs, I would urge anyone who does not have a life-threatening illness or injury to utilise other NHS services. This includes NHS 111 online, your local pharmacy or GP, or nearby treatment centres at Crawley, Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead, which will be running as normal and will be able to see you much sooner. This will help ensure emergency care is available to patients who need it most.”
The Trust has also advised patients with a scheduled appointments between 14 and 19 November to continue to attend unless they have informed you otherwise.