The power of partnerships for patient safety during doctor strikes
By Nick Hesketh, Lead for Doctors, HCRG Workforce Solutions.
As the latest rounds of doctors’ industrial action approach, NHS organisations face the ongoing challenge of maintaining safe, effective patient care while respecting doctors’ right to strike.
At HCRG Workforce Solutions, we work closely with NHS Trusts, health boards, and clinical services across the UK to strengthen workforce resilience and ensure safe staffing practices – both before and after periods of disruption.
While current regulations prevent agencies from supplying workers to directly cover striking roles, there remain many meaningful ways we can support NHS organisations to prepare, plan, and recover safely.
Strengthening workforce planning and preparedness
Effective workforce planning is vital in the lead-up to industrial action.
We support NHS partners by helping to analyse workforce data, identify potential pressure points, and plan sustainable staffing strategies for critical services.
Our experience shows that early scenario planning, rota resilience, and flexible workforce pools can significantly reduce operational risks during strike periods.
Supporting derogation discussions and safe staffing assessments
Derogations – agreed exceptions that allow certain services to continue during strikes – play a key role in maintaining patient safety.
We work with NHS leaders to provide guidance and insight on workforce availability, helping inform discussions around safe staffing levels, escalation options, and compliance considerations.
Enabling transparent communication and operational coordination
Clear and timely communication helps reduce uncertainty across clinical teams and patient groups.
Through our ongoing partnerships with NHS operations and workforce planning teams, we’ve seen how structured communication frameworks, accurate staffing data, and joined-up planning between HR and clinical leads can strengthen confidence and coordination during strike periods.
Supporting wellbeing and sustainable workloads
Periods of industrial action often place additional pressure on those continuing to deliver care.
At HCRG, we work with NHS organisations to ensure that safe working hours, appropriate rest, and wellbeing measures such as counselling and regular healthcare check-in newsletters are embedded into staffing plans.
By helping to build longer-term workforce sustainability, we support both staff morale and patient safety.