Important Notice
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. Here are some key points to remember:
- 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.
Further information for the public can be found on the NHS England website.
NHS 111
Irrespective of any action taking place, it is important that members of the public that need care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-saving cases.
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them.
When to dial 999
Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as:
- Cardiac arrest
- Loss of consciousness
- Fits that aren’t stopping
- Chest pain,
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding
- Severe allergic reactions
- Suspected stroke
- Serious head injuries.
More information about when to dial 999 is available on the NHS England website.