Junior doctor members of the BMA have announced industrial action, in the form of strike action, for 72 hours between 7am on Wednesday 14 June and 7am on Saturday 17 June 2023.
The NHS is working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery. However, the industrial action will reduce our ability to deliver normal levels of service including routine, emergency care and primary care services.
If residents have an appointment, they should continue to come forward for the care they need. We ask that people don’t call to check if an appointment is going ahead. Patients will be contacted directly if their appointment needs to be rearranged.
No-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen at our Emergency Departments.
If a resident or family member feels unwell, firstly visit the NHS 111 online symptom checker or telephone NHS 111 for help and advice. Both are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
However, please keep 999 and A&E clear for genuine life-threatening emergencies, and use NHS 111 online or by phone for other urgent care needs or if people are unsure about whether they should go to hospital. If people are contacting 111, they should provide as much information as they can, as that will help ensure they get the right support and advice.
Please remember, while the impending strikes by junior doctors are expected to cause major disruption, pre-planned appointments and procedures will only be cancelled when absolutely necessary. If patients haven’t been contacted, please attend the appointment as planned. They will be told if it needs to be rescheduled.
As always, everybody can play a part by taking simple steps to look after themselves, their loved ones and by checking on vulnerable neighbours.
For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, visit the NHS UK website.
