Junior doctors at major hospitals and GP practices in mid and south Essex are scheduled to strike for five days. They will walk out at 7am on Thursday 27 June until 7am on Tuesday 2 July.
“Everyone across the NHS is working closely together to minimise disruption for our patients. Our focus is on making sure that those in the greatest need continue to have access to high quality care and support when they need it.
“To all our residents, we are asking that you help us by making sure you think carefully before deciding to attend an NHS service. NHS 111 online can help you make the best decision on which service can help you, saving you an unnecessary trip to hospital or GP practice. Your local pharmacy can also help support you with many common health concerns such as infected insect bites, sinusitis and sore throats.
“Of course, the NHS remains here to help you when you need it. If it’s serious, then please do get in touch. If you have a scheduled appointment, please attend as planned. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled.”
Dr Matthew Sweeting, Medical Director for NHS Mid and South Essex
The NHS expects that urgent and emergency services will be under pressure and waiting times for care may be considerably longer than usual. If you need medical help or advice, please use the NHS symptom checker at nhs.uk or visit NHS 111.
Additionally, some routine and pre-planned appointments may need to be postponed as the NHS prioritises those with more urgent needs. Those who are impacted are being contacted directly, there is no need for patients to contact the NHS service.
To try and relieve the pressure on local GP practices, we encourage people with minor ailments to visit their local pharmacies. Pharmacists are experienced medical professionals and there’s no need for an appointment.
Your local pharmacist can also provide some prescription medicines for certain conditions, if needed, without a GP appointment. You can get care directly from a pharmacist for conditions including earache (children 0-17), impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women ages 16-64 from local pharmacies.
If you need to order prescription medication or repeat prescriptions, please allow 72 hours notice, to both the GP practice and the pharmacy.
Adults experiencing a mental health crisis, can speak to a mental health professional anytime, day or night, by calling NHS 111 and selecting the option for mental health. Call 0800 995 1000 for under 18s who need urgent mental health support.
For more information about this industrial action and for advice and guidance when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, visit nhs.uk