The NHS has urged patients to continue using health services as normal this week after resident doctors began strike action on Monday morning, with the walkout running until Friday. The action comes as temperatures are forecast to climb and England prepares to face Croatia in their opening World Cup fixture, a combination that health officials say will test services considerably.

The British Medical Association initiated the strike, representing resident physicians in their protracted conflict with the government on remuneration and working conditions. The Health Secretary, James Murray, said the action was "needless" and claimed it lacked the support of the public and most resident doctors. He said intensive negotiations had taken place in recent weeks to build on what the government regards as a strong existing pay offer, and that the BMA still had time to return to talks. There is no indication from the union that they will do as required before the end of action.

Hot weather typically drives more people to seek emergency care, particularly the elderly, young children and those with chronic health conditions. Officials have reiterated public health advice to stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, drink water regularly and monitor vulnerable family members. Wednesday's England match adds a further variable. Fixtures involving the national side have historically been associated with increased alcohol consumption and a rise in cardiac-related emergency calls.

Despite the pressures, the NHS says all key services will remain in place throughout the week. GP practices, NHS 111, community pharmacies and urgent care centres will operate as usual. Hospitals have drawn on contingency plans refined during earlier rounds of strike action and say they will maintain as much routine care as possible during the four days.

Patients with existing appointments have been told to attend unless they receive direct communication asking them to rearrange. NHS England's National Medical Director, Professor Frankie Swords, said staff would work to keep services running and called on the public not to hesitate in coming forward for care. Anyone with an urgent but non-life-threatening concern is advised to use 111 online before going elsewhere. Those facing a medical emergency should call 999 or go straight to accident and emergency.

This week's industrial action is not an isolated event. Resident doctors have staged multiple rounds of strikes over the past few years in a dispute rooted in real-terms pay cuts accumulated over more than a decade. The cumulative effect on services has been significant, with hundreds of thousands of appointments and procedures postponed across England since the dispute began in earnest. A pay agreement was reached in 2024, but the BMA has continued to press for further improvements, and relations between the union and the government remain strained.

The government has repeatedly stated that the current offer is fair and that further strike action is damaging to patients and to the doctors who choose not to walk out. Murray repeated on Friday that the BMA should put the matter to its members rather than proceed with further action. Whether talks resume before or after this week's strike concludes remains to be seen.