The James Paget is asking people to use health and care services wisely ahead of planned industrial action and the August Bank Holiday to help ensure that care is available to patients who need it most.
Our hospital is currently very busy and we anticipate it will be even busier over the next few days as consultants at our hospital take strike action and more people head to the coast for the Bank Holiday weekend.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that senior doctors and hospital consultants will be striking for a further 48 hours, from 7am tomorrow (Thursday 24 August) until 7am on Saturday (26 August.)
These strikes will impact both routine and emergency care. During industrial action our hospital needs to reduce the number of appointments we have planned to ensure we have safe levels of staffing.
We are contacting patients directly if this means that your appointment will need to be postponed. We understand how disappointing and concerning this will be for those waiting for treatment and we are very sorry this is the case. We will re-arrange these appointments as quickly as possible. If you do not hear from us please attend your appointment as planned.
If you need urgent medical care or advice during the industrial action, please call the NHS 111 helpline, or visit NHS 111 online; https://111.nhs.uk/
Only call 999 or attend emergency departments for serious accidents and genuine emergencies, like chest pain, breathing difficulties, bleeding that won’t stop or signs of stroke.
During industrial action it’s more important than ever to choose the right service so that care is available to patients who need it most.
You can contact the 111 service by dialling 111 from any phone or going online - https://111.nhs.uk/ - if;
• You need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency.
• You don’t know who to call for medical help or you don’t have a GP to call.
• You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service; or.
• You require health information or reassurance about what to do next.
Please also remember that your local pharmacist may be able to assist with advice for more minor conditions.
