NHS Trust guidance as junior doctors go on strike from today

THE Isle of Wight NHS Trust is calling on us to help keep its emergency departments free for those who need them as junior doctors strike from today (Thursday).

Junior doctors who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) are due to take part in industrial action for the eleventh time.

They will go on strike from 7am today (Thursday) until 7am on Tuesday, July 2, and the trust is anticipating its hospital and emergency department will be busy.

“Patient safety remains our absolute priority and we continue to work closely with our partners across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight health and care system to ensure people who require access to services receive care and treatment in as timely a way as possible,” said a spokesperson for the trust.

“Your local NHS will support you to get the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

“Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.”

If you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do, visit 111 online here.

Your local pharmacy can now treat seven common conditions from sinusitis to a sore throat to an infected insect bite, while the trust’s urgent treatment centres are equipped to deal with minor injuries, such as cuts, sprains or minor burns.

Patients with appointments booked on strike days will be contacted by the NHS if their appointment needs to be rescheduled due to industrial action.

If you have not been contacted, you should attend your appointment as planned.

You can also download the Healthier Together app for advice if you are a parent or carer for a child under 18 years old.

The app can help you decide whether you can self-care for them at home or if you need help, which service is best to meet their needs.

It also provides advice and guidance for pregnant women.