Our hospitals will be under significant pressure this week because of strike action by Junior Doctors: 7am on Wednesday 20 December to 7am on Saturday 23 December.
We recognise how challenging this period can be and how difficult the decisions are that colleagues are having to make.
During strike action, urgent and emergency treatment will be our priority. We are working closely with union representatives to ensure plans are in place to maintain safe care for patients, while facilitating and respecting the right of those staff who wish to take legal industrial action.
If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. We will be re-arranging any postponed appointments as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk. On days where there is strike action, patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).
Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 online or through calling NHS 111. For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, please visit the NHS UK website.
Thank you for your understanding.