Public warned to expect significant disruption ahead of further strikes by junior doctors and hospital consultants in August

Health leaders are urging members of the public to use NHS 111 Online for all non-emergency healthcare needs during a further period of strike action involving junior doctors and hospital consultants.

Unions have announced a further 4-day, 96 hour, walkout of junior doctors from 07:00 on Friday 11 August until 07:00 on Tuesday 15 August.

Hospital consultants will also be taking a second round of strike action for 48 hours from 07:00 on Thursday 24 August July until 07:00 on Saturday 26 August, just ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend.

NHS Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside are set to be severely impacted by these strikes, and the public are being advised that significant service disruption is highly likely – particularly as they will coincide with a busy summer period for the NHS covering the school holidays and the August bank holiday weekend.

Almost half of all hospital doctors in the country are junior doctors - you will see junior doctors working in almost every part of a busy hospital.

The public are being urged to use NHS 111 Online for non-emergency healthcare needs. The online service works the same as over the phone and is already popular with people who want quick advice about the best options for getting the care they need. These can include a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, an appointment in A&E or important advice.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said:

“We are now entering the ninth month of industrial action across the NHS and staff continue to work hard to provide patients with the best possible care under the circumstances.

“The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage the disruption caused by industrial action, but these strikes will lead to significant service disruption during what is already a busy period of the summer in the NHS.

“Urgent and emergency care services will be open and in the event of a life or limb-threatening emergency you should always call 999. If, however, it’s not an emergency, please use NHS 111 Online to ensure you are signposted to the right service first time.”

The NHS will continue to deliver planned care where possible, especially for patients in greatest clinical need, and we would urge the public to attend any planned appointments unless contacted directly by the NHS to reschedule.

Local NHS services will be using their websites and social media channels to provide up to date information to the public about local service disruption – so please check before you travel.

NHS 111 Online can tell you:

• Where to get help for your symptoms
• How to find general health information and advice
• Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
• How to get a repeat prescription
• How to get an emergency dental appointment

More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.