Longest strike action set to ‘severely disrupt’ the NHS this week

The NHS will face six days of major disruption at a time when services are already under ‘significant winter pressure.’

Junior doctors in England will be taking strike action from 7am tomorrow (Wednesday, January 3) until 7am on Tuesday, January 9.

NHS leaders have warned the impact will be ‘very challenging’ for local services.

The NHS will prioritise urgent and emergency care as consultants step in to cover for junior doctors, who make up 50 per cent of the medical workforce.

In more than a full calendar year of industrial action, strikes have seen more than 1.1million inpatient and outpatient appointments rescheduled.

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust runs hospitals, GP surgeries and other medical services in Windsor, Maidenhead Slough and surrounding areas.

The service says it is ‘grateful to people for their support during the several periods of industrial action seen so far.’

Frimley is now ‘calling on the public to give support again to ensure local communities, patients, families, and carers are provided with high quality NHS care.’

'Despite extensive planning and cover arrangements', the latest strikes by junior doctors are expected to cause 'widespread disruption.'

This will impact almost all routine care, adding 'extra administrative burden' and difficulties with discharging patients.

People should continue to use services as they normally would when they need urgent medical help – using 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies.

General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are open, and the public ‘should continue to access these services as needed’ on strike days.

• St Marks Urgent Primary Care Centre offers same day urgent care for both minor illness and minor injuries for Maidenhead registered patients. Your GP practice or NHS 111 can book you into this service.
• If you are feeling worried about your mental health, visit Mental Health Support at Frimley Health and Care: https://www.frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk/your-health/choose-the-right-service/mental-health-support
• If you are in a mental health crisis, call 111 or text Shout to 85258. Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone.
• If you are unsure of what service to choose, visit NHS 111 online https://111.nhs.uk 
• It includes a symptom checker and can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or book you a same day primary care appointment for minor illness or injury.
• If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where the best place to go for advice is, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app.
• Designed by local experts, it provides support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses. https://frimley-healthiertogether.nhs.uk

Dr Timothy Ho, chief medical officer for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These strikes come at a time that will cause huge disruption to the NHS, with services already feeling the strain of winter pressure.

“All health and care partners are working together, and we have drawn up contingency plans but we are concerned as this round of industrial action will see junior doctors on strike for 6 days.

“We are working closely with partners to ensure we prioritise urgent and emergency care for patients, but we do need the public to continue to support us and use the right health service to meet their needs.

“Routine appointments may be rescheduled. If you have not been contacted by the Trust, we would advise that you attend your appointment as planned, but please continue to check for updates.”

Dr Lalitha Iyer, chief medical officer for NHS Frimley ICB, said: “There are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs and ensure that help can be prioritised to those who need it most.

“It’s very important that people who need medical care come forward, especially when someone has a life-threatening illness or injury.

“A range of services are available to ensure Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) are freed up to treat those with life-threatening and critical illnesses or injuries. Care for life-threatening or serious illness/injury will be prioritised.

“If you are unwell or injured, it’s important to choose the right service to make sure you get the best treatment as quickly as possible.”