With resident doctors going ahead with their strike action from Friday 25th July until Wednesday 30th July, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) has asked Richard to help communicate what this means for patients:
- The ICB expects there to be disruption to hospital services during this time, and after the end of the strike, it will take some time for services to return to normal.
- During the strike, there will almost certainly be fewer doctors working than usual, and they will need to prioritise life-saving care. Less urgent cases may experience longer waits during strikes.
- The NHS is asking patients to choose services carefully during industrial action and take simple steps, to help ensure care is available for the patients who need it most. You can use NHS 111 Online (111.nhs.uk) to get advice, and please call 999 only if it is a life-threatening emergency.
- You should only visit A&E if you need emergency, life-saving care.
- Many GP practices will continue to be open as usual during the resident doctors’ strike, but some may be affected as they are training practices. Please continue to attend all your existing NHS appointments unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
- If it is not a life-threatening emergency, please use NHS 111 Online (111.nhs.uk) or visit your local pharmacy for advice.
- 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.
