Doctors due to start their first foundation year (FY1) on Wednesday 6 August may have days of ‘shadowing’ and induction-related activity scheduled to take place during the strike action on 25-30 July.

These doctors are not included in the industrial action. These incoming doctors have not yet commenced their FY1 year on the dates of the action, and their contractual arrangements differ around the country.

Members in this position should attend scheduled activity as normal. If you do not have any scheduled activity on a strike day, however, you are welcome to visit picket lines to show your support.

If you are asked to shadow on a strike day then there may not be a resident doctor explicitly assigned for you to shadow that day, but there will be senior doctors covering who will be able to support you. You must not be used to cover the work of any doctors on strike. Other inappropriate activities would include:

• holding an on-call or referral bleep
• breaking bad news
• plugging rota gaps (e.g. covering for absent FY1 doctors).

If you have any concerns on the day, please first inform the senior doctor on duty.
Employers may review the scheduling of shadowing or induction activity during the industrial action period, but please let the BMA know about any concerns you may have relating to the action, or about being asked to engage in activity that is inappropriate during the strike period.

Read our general guidance on shadowing