The doctors’ union the British Medical Association has announced that resident doctors across the country will be taking industrial action for five days, after national pay negotiations failed to reach agreement.
Local NHS leaders across Hertfordshire and west Essex are appealing for the public’s support as they prepare for this period of strike action, which may cause disruption to local services as this round of action comes as the NHS is managing the busy winter period.
The strike action is due to take place from 7am on Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November.
During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate safely.
Dr Fiona Head, Executive Clinical Director of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “This strike action will present many challenges for patients, carers, our hospitals, and some of our GP practices too. Hospitals will not be able to run as normal and services will be working under immense pressure.
“During the strike action it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk. The NHS will be working closely with the doctor’s union the BMA to discuss any patient safety concerns that arise, to ensure that safe staffing for emergency care continues to be available
“Our hospitals will do their best to only cancel appointments where it is necessary. But we do know from previous strikes that there will be some disruption to patient appointments. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.
“NHS 111 is there 24 hours a day if you or a family member are unwell and need urgent medical help or advice on where to go. We have more staff in the NHS 111 service to cover this challenging week, so please use 111 online or by phone if you cannot manage symptoms yourself at home or with support from a local pharmacy. Don’t forget the mental health support on offer via NHS 111 – by choosing option 2 when you get through.
“If you come to A&E with a minor condition or illness during the strike, you are likely to face a very long wait and may be sent away to an alternative service. A&E is always there for people with serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, like heart attacks, strokes, or severe breathing difficulties. There are many sources of advice about when to call 999, including on the NHS website. If you call 999 for an ambulance when you don’t need one, you could endanger the life of another person.
“Thank you for your understanding and support at this challenging time.”
This year, flu cases are expected to sharply increase in mid-November, which will add further pressure on NHS services. If you are eligible to have a free flu vaccination, you can support the NHS by getting your jab as soon as possible. For more information about eligibility and to book a vaccination, go to: https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/vaccinations/
Top tips for Hertfordshire and west Essex residents
- Make sure you have supplies of the essential prescription medicine you will need over the strike period. Use the online form on your GP’s website or the NHS app to order your repeat prescriptions, if you can. Make sure you get requests in in plenty of time, allowing up to five working days before you need more medicine. Check before you order any repeat prescriptions.
- If you have a pre-booked appointment at hospital or a clinic, attend as scheduled, unless you have been contacted to let you know that your appointment has been postponed.
- GP services will be open as normal so please contact your practice as usual on their online form on their website. Although a small number of resident doctors work in General Practice, this is not expected to impact practices’ ability to operate as usual. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
- If you need urgent health help, use NHS 111 online (www.111.nhs.uk) or call 111. Your symptoms will be assessed, and you will be provided with healthcare advice or an appointment to see a doctor or nurse if this is needed. NHS 111 can also send an ambulance and can book an appointment for you in some services like urgent treatment centres.
- If you are in a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and get straight through to mental health help by selecting option 2.
- Feeling a bit under the weather? The NHS website has lots of advice to help you to look after yourself when you have minor symptoms. There is also information about what is a serious medical emergency: When to call 999 – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Pick up a few medicines while you’re shopping so that you can look after very minor illnesses or injuries yourself. You can buy basic essentials like paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters, antiseptic cream, allergy medicine and indigestion remedies from pharmacies and supermarkets for less than the cost of a prescription. Remember, cheaper non-branded versions of medicines work just as well as branded products.
- You can find a list of pharmacies or Urgent Care Centres that are open out of hours by visiting www.nhs.uk and using the NHS service finder on the front page of the website.
- Do not visit anyone in a hospital or care home if you have recently had diarrhoea or vomiting. Stomach bugs are easily spread, make already ill people very seriously unwell, and can lead to whole hospital wards being closed. Please wait 48 hours after your last bout of sickness or diarrhoea before visiting anyone who is vulnerable.
Information on these services and self-help advice can be found at: www.hertfordshireandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/winter