Patients in Banbury should prepare for significant service disruptions as resident doctors at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust begin a six-day strike starting at 7am on Tuesday 7 April 2026. The industrial action, which is part of an ongoing national pay dispute, is expected to last until 6:59am on Monday 13 April 2026 and will impact operations at both the Horton General Hospital in Banbury and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
The British Medical Association confirmed the walkout after its members rejected a government offer that included a 3.5 per cent pay rise for the 2026-27 period. The union, which represents the doctors, is seeking full pay restoration to 2008 levels, arguing that this is equivalent to a 26 per cent pay rise to account for years of pay erosion. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously issued an ultimatum to the union, warning that 4,500 specialty training places would be withdrawn if the strike was not called off by 2 April, but the union decided to proceed with the action.
During the six-day period, the hospital trust has confirmed that it will need to reschedule a range of planned inpatient procedures, day case surgeries, and outpatient appointments. Affected patients will be contacted directly and told that they will be rebooked for the earliest possible date. In addition to these cancellations, the trust has warned that patients attending emergency departments at both the Horton General Hospital and the John Radcliffe Hospital should expect substantially longer waiting times due to the reduced number of doctors on duty.
Felicity Taylor-Drewe, the Chief Operating Officer for the trust, has urged residents to only attend emergency departments for genuine, life-threatening emergencies during the strike. For non-urgent health concerns, the public is encouraged to use NHS 111, visit a local pharmacy, or consult their GP or a local Minor Injuries Unit. This upcoming walkout marks the 15th strike by resident doctors since March 2023, with national health leaders estimating the total cost of such industrial action to the health service to be approximately £300 million.
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