NHS asks people to be aware and prepared for disruption to NHS services ahead of the proposed junior doctors strike

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust are asking residents to be prepared and play their part by taking steps ahead of the junior doctors strike.

The British Medical Association (BMA), British Dental Association (BDA) and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) have announced 72 hours of continuous junior doctors’ strike action from 7am on Wednesday 14 June until 7am on Saturday 17 June.

This will create significant challenges for the NHS, which has already seen a busy weekend with an increase in attendances at Emergency Departments, particularly with people presenting with respiratory conditions due to the hot weather.  

Respiratory consultant Dr Gareth Roberts, chief of service for medicine at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Hospital services will be particularly affected and during the strike period we will redirect resources to protect emergency treatment, intensive care, new-born care, maternity, and trauma. We will continue to prioritise cancer treatments, and those patients who have waited the longest for elective procedures.

“We are working incredibly hard to mitigate the impact of the industrial action on our services, however we will unfortunately have to reschedule some routine appointments. If you have not been contacted by the Trust, we would advise that you attend your appointment as planned, but please continue to check for updates.

“We are seeing exceptionally high numbers of people attending our emergency departments at the start of this week with respiratory complaints such as asthma and hay fever. This is creating much longer waiting times for anyone who isn’t in urgent need of care, particularly at Wexham Park Hospital.

“If you suffer with known allergies or asthma, please make sure you are taking antihistamines and following your asthma plan. It is also really important to stay hydrated in this weather.

“Unless you have severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath accompanied by chest tightness, pains spreading to the arms, back, neck and jaw, feeling sick, coughing up blood or swelling in the leg, you would be better off seeing a pharmacist or a GP.”

We are now entering the seventh month of industrial action across the NHS and staff continue to work hard to provide patients with the best possible care under the. Previous action by junior doctors saw approx. 27k staff off per day due to industrial action.

Previous industrial action by junior doctors saw 196,000 hospital appointments disrupted.

General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are open, and the public should continue to access these services as needed on strike days.

Dr Lalitha Iyer, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Frimley ICB, said: “There are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs and ensure that help can be prioritised to those who need it most.

“It’s very important that people who need medical care come forward, especially when someone has a life-threatening illness or injury. A range of services are available to ensure Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) are freed up to treat those with life-threatening and critical illnesses or injuries. Care for life-threatening or serious illness/injury will be prioritised.

“If you are unwell or injured, it’s important to choose the right service to make sure you get the best treatment as quickly as possible.

“Your GP practice and local pharmacies are open during the period of the strike, so please continue to use these services as normal. If you are unsure of what service to choose, visit NHS 111 online https://111.nhs.uk . It includes a symptom checker and can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or book you into the local Minor Injuries Unit in Bracknell or A&E department if your condition is more serious.

“If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where the best place to go for advice is, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app. Designed by local experts, it provides support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses. https://frimley-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/”

Using 111 will help the NHS treat patients in the right setting during the week of the industrial action.

Yousaf Ahamad, Frimley ICS Chief Pharmacist and Director of Medicines Optimisation, said: “Community pharmacies are a key member of the NHS family, staffed by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and their teams, who are qualified and regulated healthcare professionals and who can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for minor illnesses and ailments such as sunburn, coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. If symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they will ensure you get the help you need.

“Please remember to take care of yourself in the hot weather. Applying sunscreen, keeping hydrated and walking in the shade are just a few steps you can take to avoid becoming ill in the sun. 

“We’d advise people to keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm. If you are going to do a physical activity, for example exercise or walking the dog, plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening.

“Hot weather can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung problems and other diseases. Older people, babies and young children are more likely to be unwell from hot weather because their bodies are less able to regulate temperature. People with underlying medical conditions can also be vulnerable to the effects of hot weather.

“For more tips on staying safe in the sun visit Signs of heat exhaustion & heat stroke | Frimley Health and Care”.

There are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs to support our busy health services.

Please do choose well. Together we can make a real difference so please:

• Ahead of the industrial action, the advice for anyone that is travelling to other areas is to:
• Make sure you have ordered and collected any repeat medicines, especially if you are travelling
• Remember that your first port of call for GP care is your home practice, which will be able to provide online, phone and video consultations as well as arranging for prescriptions to be sent to any pharmacy you choose.

• Some GP practices offer extended opening hours during evening and weekends. If you think you need to see your GP team, contact them as you usually would.
• If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where the best place to go for advice is, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app. Designed by local experts, it provides support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses. https://frimley-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/ alternatively you can get advice from NHS 111 on the phone, and online.
• Use 111.nhs.uk if it’s not an emergency and you need health advice quickly. The friendly team at NHS 111 will be able to help you get the care you need
• You should only call 999 for an ambulance in an emergency, when it is life-threatening or very serious.
• Minor Injury Unit at Brants Bridge, Bracknell, RG12 9RT is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm – no appointment needed you can walk in. You can search for your nearest minor injury unit or urgent care service here: Find Urgent Care services - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• If you are feeling worried about your mental health there are number of services available, visit Mental Wellbeing | Frimley Health and Care.

If you are in a mental health crisis, call 111 or text Shout to 85258. Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Please look out for your neighbours who may live alone or be lonely.