Yahoo News Nottinghamshire junior doctors and consultants begin three-day joint strike
Consultants and junior doctors began their latest strike action at 7am this morning (Monday).
They will remain on strike until 7am on Thursday, October 5 .
Local health bosses are asking the public to pick up prescriptions in advance and use the correct service over the next three days to help relieve pressures on services.
The public are also reminded to continue to attend appointments unless they are told they are cancelled.
During the three-day strike period, planned appointments are likely to be postponed, delays will be expected and the local hospitals will, in effect, be operating a ‘Christmas Day’ level of staffing.
GP practices will remain open but may have reduced staffing and less appointments available.
Dr Dave Briggs, medical director at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “We are seeing a high demand for NHS services already and our emergency departments are busy with long waits to be seen, even without the impact of the industrial action, and that’s why we are urging the public to please use NHS services wisely.
“Your NHS is still here for you but we’re asking people to consider whether A&E is the most appropriate place for their needs.
"If it’s not a life-threatening emergency, an urgent treatment centre can help with the most common problems people go to A&E for.
"If you think you need medical help right now but you're not sure what to do, NHS 111 can help.
“Thank you for your understanding and support, our NHS staff are working tirelessly to assess patients as quickly as possible and ensure that we see the most seriously unwell people first.”
The advice for the public who need care has not changed – people should use 999 in life-threatening emergencies and NHS 111 online for other health concerns.
GP services and pharmacies are also available for patients and can be accessed in the normal way.
If you haven’t been contacted or informed that your planned appointment has been postponed, please attend as normal.
