Use services wisely plea from NHS health leaders

Local health leaders are urging people to use services wisely during the planned consultant and junior doctor strike action to help ensure treatment and care is prioritised for those most in need.

Starting at 7am on Monday October 2, both Consultants and Junior Doctors will strike for three days until 7am on Thursday 5 October. During this time, emergency care will continue to be provided, prioritising life-threatening, critical care, neonatal care, and trauma services.

Dr Fiona Head, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “The strikes will bring substantial challenges to the local NHS over the coming days and our priority is to provide treatment and care for those most in need.

“We’re asking our local patients to use services wisely. If you need urgent medical care please continue to come forward as normal, particularly in an emergency or life-threatening situations. For other non urgent medical concerns, visit 111 online or the appropriate service such as a Minor Injury Unit or Pharmacy.

“Our A&E departments will be very busy, operating on a ‘Christmas Day’ level of service, and those attending with non-urgent medical concerns will either be directed to an alternative service or face much longer than normal waiting times.”

Routine appointments may be significantly impacted during strike action. If the NHS has not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. If your hospital appointment needs to be rescheduled, you will be contacted direct.

Dr Head added; “We understand having appointments rescheduled is disappointing and frustrating. Our staff across all services continue to work exceptionally hard to support and provide safe, quality care. Please be kind to our staff during times of strike action.”