A series of strikes by UK doctors in recent years has required contingency planning to keep NHS hospital services safe and open.[1] The NHS managed this with consultants stepping up provision of acute admissions and inpatient ward cover, along with non-striking GPs, locally employed and specialist doctors, clinics and non-medical staff.[1] In some cases, the assessment of patients on admission and the transition through acute beds proceeded more smoothly than usual.[1][2] This has happened with more senior medical decision-makers in clinical practice longer each day, with fewer intermediaries and without teaching or training.[1] Patients could thus be assessed more quickly, decisions made more quickly and requiring less control.[1]