NHS patients in the Midlands are being encouraged to seek urgent care if they need it during industrial action in the coming week and to continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to rearrange.

Patients should visit NHS 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continue to call 999 in a life-threatening emergency.

General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are not impacted by strike action and the public should continue to access these services as needed on strike days.

The NHS will contact anyone whose appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. If the NHS has not contacted you, it is important to attend appointments as planned.

This coming Monday and Wednesday (6 and 8 March) ambulance workers are striking.

In all cases, priority will be given to those patients with the most clinically urgent health needs.

Dr Jess Sokolov, Regional Medical Director at NHS England in the Midlands, said: “The NHS has been using the tried and tested methods in previous strike actions to manage any disruption and we will continue to work hard to minimise the impact for patients.

“I would ask people to continue to come forward for treatment, by using 111 online for non-life threatening medical issues, or by visiting your local pharmacy or General Practice, and for life-threatening emergencies please dial 999.

“NHS teams are working hard to maintain routine care as much as possible so please attend your planned and booked appointments unless you are contacted to rearrange.”

The NHS has been preparing extensively for industrial action and for winter, with plans already in place to manage additional demand including 24/7 control centres, additional bed capacity, more mental health support for ambulance services and more community falls services.

Late last year NHS England issued guidance to local NHS employers on what derogations they should seek from local union representatives to ensure certain vital services such as chemotherapy continues.