During periods of industrial action, the NHS works hard to ensure adequate staffing through the entirety of urgent care pathways, urgent elective cases, and other critical services.
However, disruption to staffing can cause a significant reduction in elective activity and this may mean some appointments and procedures may need to be rescheduled.
We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and will rebook immediately, where possible.
If you need medical care
If you need medical care or advice during a time of industrial action, please call the NHS 111 helpline or visit NHS 111. Please contact NHS 111 if:
- You need medical help fast, but it's not a 999 emergency
- You don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call
- You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service; or
- You require health information or reassurance about what to do next
There is more information about getting medical help on our who can help best pages.
We will keep this page updated with the latest information.
Regardless of any strike action, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - that is, when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
This is information about when to call 999 and this is information about when to go to A&E.
Further information on strike action can be found on the NHS website here.
If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
If you have a hospital appointment during this time, you should attend as normal unless we get in touch to tell you otherwise.
If you’re staying in England and are away from home and need a GP appointment for routine treatment, please call your own surgery. And if you need a prescription, they can send it to any pharmacy you choose.
Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, though your GP practice website or, if you do not have access to GP online services, by calling your GP practice.
Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit at home or with you. Find out what you need here https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-keep-in-my-first-aid-kit/
