Information for the public on industrial action

More strike dates have been announced.  The full list of dates over the next two months is now:

• Monday 23 January: Ambulance strike planned by Unison and Unite at various locations

• Thurs 26 January: First day of physiotherapist strikes, planned at 20 trusts in England

• Mon 6 February: Nurses, at 76 trusts; plus ambulance staff strikes at various locations

• Tues 7 February: Nursing strike repeated at same 76 trusts

• Thurs 9 February: Another physiotherapy strike planned, extended to cover 50 trusts

• Mon 20 February: Ambulance staff strike by GMB and Unite members

• Mon 6 March: Ambulance staff strike by GMB members

• Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
• 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.
• GP services are not impacted by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
• The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
• 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).
• Ambulances will still be able to respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.
• Patients should take advice from 111/999 call-handlers on whether there are circumstances where it is suitable for them to make their own way to hospital.
• There will be fewer ambulances on the roads during industrial action, with the NHS prioritising those with life-threatening needs. As a result patients whose conditions are not life-threatening may not get an ambulance on strike days.
• During strike days, there is an expectation 999 services will be exempt; however, it is likely 999 call handlers will be very busy. NHS 111 call centres will have fewer staff, with longer call response times expected across the system. As a result, we are urging anyone with non-urgent care needs to first seek help from NHS 111 online.
• The NHS is also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.