As healthcare staff head out on strike from tomorrow (Tuesday), we're being urged to use services responsibly.
Consultants will begin their industrial action across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from 7am tomorrow - with junior doctors joining them on Wednesday. It's the first time in NHS history their strikes have overlapped - but it won't be the last as more joint action is planned for next month.
Health chiefs say services are currently extremely busy and will be under increased pressure during the strikes. The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Chief Medical and Chief Nursing Officers have released an open letter, which reads:
"Ahead of the next round of strikes we wanted to explain what you can expect from us and how we can best support each other.
"You can help us by only attending our Emergency Departments or calling 999 if your condition is life threatening such as sign of a heart attack, stroke, heavy bleeding, or difficulty breathing.
"Please don’t wait if your condition is life or limb threatening, it is important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal.
"If it isn’t an emergency, please use other services such as using your nearest Urgent Treatment Centre, community pharmacy for minor ailments or medication queries, or a consultation with your GP. You can call or visit 111 online if you need urgent help and aren’t sure where to go."
It continues:
"Planned appointments and procedures are likely to be affected and we know how upsetting this will be for people who may have already faced delays to their treatment. We apologise for any disruption you may face.
"If you aren’t contacted by us to rearrange, please still attend as some services may continue. If you are concerned about your health or any changes in your condition since you last spoke with us, contact the team who have been caring for you in the way you usually would."
We're told Emergency Departments will prioritise patients who are in need of our services for life-saving care so that will likely mean longer waits for conditions that are less critical.
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