Medical Director offers advice during Junior Doctors’ Industrial Action
During the Junior Doctors’ Industrial Action, members of the public are urged to use NHS 111 online if it’s not an emergency and to attend hospital appointments unless contacted otherwise.
The British Medical Association has announced 72 hours of national industrial action taking place from 7am on 14th June to 7am on 17th June. This involves Junior Doctors at Wirral University Teaching Hospital and while plans are in place to keep patients safe during the action, it is expected that services will be severely impacted.
Junior Doctors work in almost every part of the hospital, including the Emergency Department, where they might diagnose a patient, write a prescription, support the process of admission and discharge, maintain the flow of patients through the hospital and ensure beds are available for those who need them the most.
Members of the public are asked to only attend the Emergency Department if it’s an emergency. For non-emergencies, people are asked to contact NHS 111 online via 111.nhs.uk.
Dr Nikki Stevenson, Medical Director at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “We have plans in place to minmise the impact on patients, however there will likely be disruption to services.
“Our Emergency Department is open for those who have an emergency or serious illness, but it is expected to be busy, and people may face a longer wait. If it is not an emergency, we would ask people to please visit 111 online and they will be directed to the best service for their needs.
“We would also ask people to continue to attend their appointments if they have not been contacted about alternative arrangements.”
The NHS 111 online service can offer quick advice to people about the best options for getting the care they need. This can include a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, an A&E appointment or important advice.
NHS 111 Online can tell people:
- Where to get help for their symptoms.
- How to find general health information and advice.
- Where to get an emergency supply of their prescribed medicine.
- How to get a repeat prescription.
- How to get an emergency dental appointment.
People can also contact a GP as services will be running during industrial action or visit a walk-in centre or pharmacy.
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