UPCOMING STRIKE DATES: Resident Doctor Industrial Action

UPCOMING STRIKE DATES: Resident Doctor Industrial Action

7am on Friday 14 November to 7am on Wednesday 19 November.  

Industrial Action - What you need to know

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced strikes from 7am on Friday 14 November to 7am on Wednesday 19 November.  

What this means for you:

During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate safely. 

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk. 

While we will do our best to only cancel appointments where it is necessary, we know from previous strikes that there will be disruption to patient appointments as a result of the strikes. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

During the strikes, there may be fewer doctors working than usual, and they will need to prioritise life saving care. Less urgent cases may experience longer waits during strikes. The NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and as ever only using 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these times.  We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

Outpatient appointments

We know from previous strikes that there will be disruption to patient appointments and will only cancel appointments where it is necessary.

Patients with an appointment during the period of action will be contacted directly if their appointment needs to be rescheduled. We appreciate how disappointing this will be for anyone waiting for treatment or investigations and we are sorry to postpone arrangements. However, we will rearrange any cancelled appointments as soon as possible. Patients who are not contacted in advance should attend their appointment as planned.

The impact on our Emergency and Urgent Services:

It is vitally important that you attend the right healthcare setting for your needs, our Emergency Department (ED) is there to treat the most urgent and life-threatening conditions, so if you attend ED with an injury or illness that does not require urgent assistance, then please be prepared for either a prolonged wait, or to be sent to a more appropriate setting for your healthcare needs. 

If you need medical help for something that isn’t life threatening or a serious injury please call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 Online.  You will be directed to the most appropriate place for your care or treatment. GP practices will remain open so please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.

When to contact NHS 111:

  1. You need medical help fast, but it's not a 999 emergency
  2. You don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call
  3. You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service; or
  4. You require health information or reassurance about what to do next