Advice on accessing NHS healthcare during resident doctors’ strike
Ahead of five days of industrial action by resident doctors, beginning this Friday, the NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately 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 only using 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency. For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.
Dr Hamish McLure, Regional Medical Director for NHS North East and Yorkshire, said NHS staff have been working hard to mitigate the impact of strike action. Trusts were putting in place measures to maintain care for those who need it urgently, and rescheduling planned appointments unable to go ahead.
Dr McLure (pictured) said: “We’re reminding people they should continue to use services as they normally would when they need urgent medical help – by using 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies only.
“For other health concerns, please use NHS 111 – on the NHS App, online, or by phone. GP services and pharmacies are also available for patients and can be accessed in the normal way.”
Patients who haven’t been contacted or informed that their planned appointment has been postponed should attend as normal, he added.
Dr McLure said everyone can play their part by taking steps to keep themselves and others safe during the five days of industrial action. For example, by checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
Ahead of industrial action, people who need prescribed medication are reminded they can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, through their GP practice website or, if they don’t have access to GP online services, by calling their GP practice. For advice on preparing a fully stocked first aid kit for the home please visit the St John Ambulance webpage.
The British Medical Association has announced resident doctors in England will walk out of emergency and routine care between 7am this Friday (14 November) and 7am on Wednesday 19th. During this period, all other NHS staff, including consultants and other specialist doctors, will be working and the NHS will work to ensure as many services as possible continue to operate safely.
For more information about the resident doctors’ industrial action, including frequently asked questions, please visit the NHS website.
ENDS