Date published: 16 January 2023
Mersey Care services are likely to be affected by intended strike action by GMB members on Wednesday 18 January ahead of further planned action by North West Ambulance Service staff on Monday 23 January and Tuesday 24 January 2023.
The industrial action is expected to affect services at Clock View Hospital, Windsor House and at our site in Whalley. Mersey Care has previously had to restrict services due to low staff numbers during the two previous days of Royal College of Nursing (RCN) strikes in December.
Health leaders are warning of some service disruption on and around strike days and are urging people to use NHS 111 Online for non-emergency health needs.
The NHS 111 online service can help provide information on:
- 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
More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is also available on the national NHS websiute.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage any disruption, including industrial action, but inevitably there will be some service disruption.
“Emergency care and other critical services such as maternity departments will be open as usual but, with NHS services already under pressure, it is vital that people use the available services appropriately.
“If you need to access a healthcare service, but it’s not an emergency, please use NHS 111 Online to ensure you are signposted to the right service first time.”
Dr Lemmens added: “The NHS will do everything it can to go ahead with planned procedures – especially for patients in greatest clinical need – and will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned."
The NHS is also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
People can help by taking sensible measures to keep themselves and others safe during this period by not ending up in A&E – such as drinking responsibly or stocking up on their medication.
Those people who need help from Mersey Care's 24/7 crisis lines can still access them via the numbers below.
