MEMBERS of the public in Warrington and Halton are being urged to use NHS 111 Online for all non-emergency healthcare needs during further upcoming strike action involving junior doctors and hospital consultants.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced a further four-day, 96-hour walkout of junior doctors from 7am on Friday 11 August to 7am on Tuesday 15 August.
The BMA has also announced a second round of hospital consultant strike action for 48 hours from 7am on Thursday 24 August until 7am on Saturday 26 August.
Warrington and Halton Hospitals and other NHS Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside are set to be impacted. Members of the public are advised that significant service disruption is highly lightly, particularly as these strikes will coincide with the summer holiday period, August bank holiday weekend and the Creamfields North festival in Daresbury from Thursday 24 August to Saturday 27 August.
Almost half of all hospital doctors in the country are junior doctors – you will see junior doctors working in almost every part of a busy hospital. Consultants are the most senior clinicians in our hospitals whose roles cannot be covered by other Trust staff.
The public are being urged to use NHS 111 Online for non-emergency healthcare needs. The online service works the same as over the phone and is already popular with people who want quick advice about the best options for getting the care they need. These can include a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, an appointment in A&E or important advice.
Deputy Medical Director and Consultant Emergency Physician, Dr Anne Robinson said: “The focus at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals during this period will be to ensure critical care and emergency services remain available to those in most urgent need as well as neonatal care, maternity and trauma services.
“Where possible we will also prioritise patients requiring urgent surgery or those undergoing treatment for cancer.
“We have tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and to keep urgent and emergency services open but longer waits for treatment should be expected.
“Sadly, there will be an impact for some of our patients where it will be necessary to postpone some appointments and procedures but these will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Patients who are not contacted directly by the trust should continue to attend for appointments as planned.
“The public can also help us by using health services responsibly and appropriately. This means going to NHS 111 Online for advice and seeking help from pharmacies, and urgent treatment centres for non-emergency care.”
NHS 111 Online can ensure that patients are signposted to the right service. The online service works the same as over the phone and is already popular with people who want quick advice about the best options for getting the care they need. These can include a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, an appointment in A&E or other advice.
NHS 111 Online can tell you:
- Where to get help for your symptoms
- How to find general health information and advice
- Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
- How to get a repeat prescription
Urgent and emergency care services will remain open during industrial action and in the event of an emergency people should always call 999.
More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.
For more information on Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals services during the planned industrial action, please check www.whh.nhs.uk or follow on the Trust’s social media channels.
For information on the position across health services in Cheshire and Merseyside please visit
www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/posts/nhs-industrial-action/
