Be prepared and aware for disruption due to consultant and junior doctor strikes

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust are preparing for consultant doctor and junior doctor strikes in September. 

Consultant doctors will strike between 7am on 19 September and 7am on 21 September.

Junior doctors will strike between 7am on 20 September and 7am on 23 September.

For the first time in NHS history, junior doctors and consultants are also taking industrial action on the same day (20 September), so it is vital that the public continue to use services wisely.

On 19 September and 20 September, the BMA has stated that there will be a Christmas day level of service for consultants’ industrial action. This means emergency departments will still be open and staffed with consultants, but disruption and longer waits should be expected.

NHS leaders are warning the impact of these strikes will be very challenging for local services. Hospital consultants are the NHS’s most senior clinicians, whose roles cannot be covered by other staff.

That’s why, people are being urged to continue to support the NHS during the strike by using the right health service to meet their needs and help to ensure emergency care is available for those in most need.

General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are open, and the public should continue to access these services as needed on strike days.

Local people are being asked to take the following actions:

• Choose the most appropriate NHS service for needs and only use 999 and A&E or Emergency Departments for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
• For anything that isn’t a life-saving emergency, use an alternative NHS service and to use NHS 111 first either online or by phone.
• Know it may take longer than expected to be seen and treated.
• Collect family and friends from hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged.
• To stay away from hospitals if showing the symptoms of flu or COVID-19 (or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19), unless it is an emergency.

Patients are also reminded that if you haven’t been contacted or informed that your planned appointment has been postponed, please attend as normal.

Dr Gareth Roberts, Chief of Service for Medicine for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, 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.

“First and foremost, we aim to keep people safe during the planned strikes. Hospital services will be particularly affected, and we will redirect available resources to protect emergency treatment, intensive care, new-born care, maternity, and trauma. In outpatients and theatres, we will continue to prioritise cancer treatments, and those patients who have waited the longest for elective procedures.

“Routine appointments may be rescheduled. If you have not been contacted by the Trust, we would advise that you attend your appointment as planned, but please continue to check for updates.”

Dr Lalitha Iyer, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Frimley ICB, said: “There are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs and ensure that help can be prioritised to those who need it most.

“It’s very important that people who need medical care come forward, especially when someone has a life-threatening illness or injury. A range of services are available to ensure Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) are freed up to treat those with life-threatening and critical illnesses or injuries. Care for life-threatening or serious illness/injury will be prioritised.

“If you are unwell or injured, it’s important to choose the right service to make sure you get the best treatment as quickly as possible.

“Your General Practice and local pharmacies are open during the period of the strike, so please continue to use these services as normal. If you are unsure of what service to choose, visit NHS 111 online https://111.nhs.uk . It includes a symptom checker and can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or book you into the local Minor Injuries Unit in Bracknell or A&E department if your condition is more serious.

“As well as being booked in via NHS 111 to the Minor Injury Unit you can also walk in for things such as sprains and strains, suspected broken limbs, minor head injuries and minor scalds and burns. The service is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. X ray is available Sundays to Fridays.

“If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where the best place to go for advice is, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app. Designed by local experts, it provides support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses. https://frimley-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/”

There are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs to support our busy health services. Visit our Choose the Right Service page for details of local services. 

Further coordinated Junior Doctor and Consultants Industrial Action is planned for early October across three days (2-4 October), as well as action by the Society of Radiographers.