NHS patients in the South East 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.

NHS England’s South East Medical Director, Dr Vaughan Lewis, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the public for their care in how they use the health service during strike days. Disruption is inevitable, however it is vital that people do not put off seeking care and dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency and come forward for treatment using 111 online for non-life-threatening care, as well as using local pharmacies or General Practice.”

“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.