Support during industrial action

We continue to work very hard to keep any disruption to urgent patients during industrial action to a minimum, and to protect the safety, welfare and service provided to patients and service users.

Industrial action does, however, have an impact on NHS services, and we ask the public to be aware of how to ensure they get the help they need during the industrial action.

Please see below for some answers to questions you may have about what to if industrial action takes place.

What if I have an appointment on a strike day?

The Trust will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a text, phone call or a letter. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. We apologise for any inconvenience. You will receive further communication confirming an alternative date. 

If we have not contacted you to cancel your appointment, please attend as planned.

What if I need urgent or emergency care?

Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. If you do not have internet access then 111 helpline is available. When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999.

Will emergency care be affected on strike days?

Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal.

​​​​​​​I have a loved one who will be a hospital inpatient on strike day – how will their care be affected?

All hospital inpatients will be informed of how their care will be impacted on a ward-by-ward basis by the staff involved in delivering their care.

Will GP services be affected on strike days?

GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments as planned.

When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?

The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a text, phone call or a letter and you should be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

If my appointment is rescheduled, will I be put back to the bottom of the waiting list?

Any appointments that need to be rescheduled will be done so as a priority.

Is there anything I should do now?

No, the NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?

No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

What should I do if I need an ambulance?

Patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.

For all other health care needs support will be available through NHS111 online (if you do not have internet access then 111 helpline is available) or at your local GP or pharmacy.

What is considered an emergency?

Patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life.