Date published: 31 March 2026
Cheshire and Merseyside residents needing urgent medical care during the planned resident doctors' industrial action after Easter are being advised to use NHS 111 during a particularly busy time for health services across the region.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced resident doctors will take strike action immediately after the Easter bank holiday weekend from 7am on Tuesday, 7 April to 7am on Monday, 13 April 2026.
The planned walkout will create significant challenges for the NHS, with staff already managing increased service demand across a busy Easter bank holiday weekend comprising a number of major events – including the Grand National being staged at Aintree Racecourse on 11 April.
“We’re asking for the public’s support by urging people to continue using NHS services appropriately,” said Dr Fiona Lemmens, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Executive Clinical Director. “The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage industrial action - but inevitably a walkout on this scale will lead to some service disruption.
“You should still call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency where someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. But if you need urgent medical help and you're not sure where to go, use NHS 111 online or the NHS App to get assessed and directed to the right place for you.”
NHS 111 and the NHS App can help you find out:
- Where to get help for your symptoms
- How to find general health information and advice
- Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
- How to get a repeat prescription
- How to get an emergency dental appointment.
If needed, a call back can be arranged from a nurse, doctor or paramedic - or an appointment at the most appropriate local service including local pharmacies, urgent treatment centres, GP practices or A&E.
More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website. Mersey Care will be using our website and social media channels to provide up-to-date information to the public about any local service disruption.
Dr Lemmens added: “The NHS is also working hard to minimise the impact on planned care. Please attend any planned appointments unless contacted directly by the NHS to reschedule.
“Local NHS services will be using their websites and social media channels to provide up-to-date information to the public about local service disruption – so please check before you travel.”
