Date published: 29 September 2023
Health leaders are warning that a second round of joint industrial action is expected to lead to 'significant service disruption' when strikes resume on 3-4 October.
For the second time since industrial action began 11 months ago, junior doctors and hospital consultants will begin 72 hours of continuous strikes from 7am on Monday 2 October to 7am on Thursday 5 October. The Society of Radiographers will also strike from 8am on Tuesday 3 October to 8am on Wednesday 4 October.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Medical Director, Prof Rowan Pritchard-Jones, said: "We're now entering the eleventh 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, especially with the consultants and junior doctors striking together and radiographers joining them on Tuesday.
“Urgent and emergency care services will still be open for those who need them, 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.”
Mersey Care servicces are likely to be disrupted by the strikes but any changes to services will be communicated directly to patients and on our website and social media channels.
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.
The NHS will continue to deliver planned care where possible, especially for patients in greatest clinical need, and is urging 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.
