Broomfield Hospital Patients Face Potential Disruption as NHS Consultants Announce Two-Day Strike
Patients attending Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford could face disruption to appointments and planned treatment after senior NHS doctors announced two days of strike action across England next month.
The British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed on Monday 26 October that hospital consultants intend to walk out on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 November 2026, as a long-running dispute over pay and working conditions escalates.
The industrial action is scheduled to begin at 6.59am on Wednesday 25 November and end at 6.59am on Friday 27 November.
Broomfield Hospital is operated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which also runs Basildon and Southend hospitals.
Although the national strike announcement raises the possibility of disruption across the trust's hospitals, no specific appointment cancellations or changes to services at Broomfield have been announced at the time of publication.
NHS Trust Confirms Advice for Broomfield Hospital Patients
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has responded to Chelmsford City Hub's enquiry about the planned consultants' strike at the end of November, confirming that patients should continue attending appointments unless they are contacted directly.
Christine Blanshard, Chief Medical Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are working hard to minimise the impact on planned care across all Trust sites during the latest industrial action planned for the end of November.
“We will only be contacting patients whose operations or appointments need to be rescheduled. If they are not contacted, they should please attend as planned.”
The Trust also advised that fewer consultants may be working during the industrial action, with life-saving care taking priority.
Patients are encouraged to use NHS 111 online for non-emergency medical advice and call 999 only in serious or life-threatening emergencies.
GP practices will remain open, and patients should continue attending GP and dental appointments unless they are told otherwise.
What Could the Strike Mean for Broomfield Hospital?
Consultants are among the NHS's most senior doctors, providing specialist treatment, supervising medical teams and overseeing hospital services.
Their absence during industrial action could affect planned operations, outpatient clinics and other non-emergency appointments.
However, the precise impact on Broomfield Hospital will depend on local staffing arrangements, the number of consultants participating and the trust's contingency plans.
The BMA has confirmed that emergency cover will continue throughout the two-day strike, with arrangements similar to those used on Christmas Day.
Patients should not assume their appointment has been cancelled simply because it falls on one of the strike dates.
Should Patients Still Attend Appointments?
NHS England's guidance for patients during industrial action is clear: attend your appointment as planned unless the NHS contacts you directly to say it has been changed.
Patients whose appointments need to be postponed should be contacted by the relevant NHS service.
Anyone requiring urgent or emergency treatment should continue to seek medical assistance.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 or attend A&E. For urgent medical concerns that are not life-threatening, NHS 111 can provide advice and direct patients to appropriate services.
The NHS has also advised patients not to contact hospitals simply to check whether an appointment is going ahead, unless specifically instructed to do so.
Why Are NHS Consultants Going on Strike?
The BMA says the dispute centres on pay, working conditions and the long-term sustainability of the consultant role.
The union argues that consultants have experienced a reduction of approximately 25% in real-terms pay over the past 17 years.
It is also calling for improvements to working hours, greater recognition of demanding out-of-hours duties and more protected time for training, research and service development.
Consultants voted in favour of industrial action in July 2026, with 76% of those participating in the ballot supporting strikes.
The BMA says the action could still be avoided if the Government commits to properly funded formal negotiations.
NHS Employers Warns of Pressure on Hospitals
NHS Employers has expressed disappointment at the announcement and warned that industrial action could place significant pressure on hospitals during the winter period.
The organisation has acknowledged consultants' concerns but urged both sides to continue discussions.
The planned walkout comes as NHS services prepare for increased seasonal demand, making contingency planning particularly important.
Awaiting Local Hospital Arrangements
As of Monday 26 October, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has not published a specific announcement detailing how the November consultants' strike will affect Broomfield, Basildon or Southend hospitals.
Local arrangements, including any changes to outpatient clinics or planned procedures, are expected to become clearer closer to the proposed strike dates.
Chelmsford City Hub will monitor announcements from the trust and NHS Essex and update this article when further information becomes available.
Patients can find hospital information at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and national advice on NHS England's industrial action information page.
Sources: British Medical Association, NHS Employers, NHS England and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, checked 26 October 2026.
This article was updated on 27 October 2026 to include a statement provided directly to Chelmsford City Hub by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.