Five-day doctors’ strike to hit Exeter - here’s what you need to know

Patients in Exeter are being urged to attend their hospital appointments as planned unless contacted directly, as resident doctors at the Royal Devon prepare to take part in five days of national strike action later this month.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that resident doctors will walk out from 7am on Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November.

The association, which represents resident doctors, says the action is over continued pay erosion and a lack of training opportunities. The union argues that below-inflation pay and limited specialist training places are worsening staff shortages and burnout across the NHS.

The Department of Health and Social Care says it has already increased pay for resident doctors by almost 29 per cent over the past three years and is expanding training places, arguing that further rises are unaffordable.

Officials say further pay rises are not possible this year but insist they remain committed to improving training opportunities and working conditions.

A spokesperson said the government is willing to “work with the BMA to go further on expanding the number of training places, prioritising UK medical graduates, and addressing training and educational costs specific to resident doctors.”

However, talks between the government and the BMA have so far failed to reach agreement. The BMA argues that doctors’ pay has not kept pace with inflation over the past decade, leading to staff shortages and burnout.

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The Department of Health said it is taking steps to improve recruitment and retention, including creating 1,000 additional training places and reducing competition for speciality training. It added that most resident doctors did not vote to strike, with less than half of eligible members supporting industrial action.

During the strike period, hospitals (including the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital) are expected to prioritise urgent and emergency care. Patients with existing appointments will be contacted directly if their treatment is affected.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, has said that patient safety remains its top priority, and that detailed contingency plans are in place to ensure essential services continue during the strike.

In a statement, the Trust said: “We are working together across the Trust to ensure we have robust plans in place to protect the safety and welfare of our patients and colleagues during the upcoming strike action.”

Patients with appointments at the hospital are advised to attend as normal unless contacted by the Trust to rearrange. The Royal Devon has asked patients not to call the hospital to check if appointments are going ahead, as services are already under significant pressure.

Emergency services will remain open 24 hours a day, but the Trust is warning that wait times may be longer than usual and is encouraging people with non-urgent issues to seek care elsewhere.

“If you have a life-threatening emergency, our Emergency Department remains open 24 hours a day,” the Trust said. “However, if your medical problem isn’t critical or life-threatening, please visit your local pharmacy or GP, or use minor injury units and walk-in centres.”

Residents are also being reminded to contact NHS 111 online or by phone for advice on urgent but non-emergency medical issues.

The strike at the Royal Devon is part of a coordinated national action by the BMA, which represents resident and junior doctors across England, amid continued negotiations with the Government.

The industrial action follows a series of strikes by NHS staff throughout 2024 and 2025, as unions continue to push for better pay and working conditions amid rising living costs and increasing pressures on the health service.