Junior medical doctors’ strike_ What to do in the event you want NHS care throughout ‘longest ever’ walkout

Junior medical doctors in England are putting for 5 days from as we speak – the longest walkout in NHS historical past.

As much as 47,600 members of the British Medical Affiliation (BMA) are putting between 7am on Thursday 13 July and 7am on Tuesday 18 July.

Here is the whole lot it is advisable find out about getting NHS care in the course of the strike.

Should you’re in hospital when the strike begins

Should you’re receiving remedy from a junior physician when the strike begins, they’ve an obligation of care to verify your care is safely handed over.

Consultants will cowl the same old duties of junior medical doctors, supported by different medical professionals.

All hospital inpatients must be informed how their care shall be affected by the workers concerned in caring for them.

Should you want a GP appointment

GPs and pharmacies are largely unaffected by the strikes, so you need to nonetheless have the ability to get an appointment or well being recommendation.

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Nonetheless, GP trainees are junior medical doctors and are included within the strike – so if there are GP trainees working at your observe, there could also be fewer appointments accessible.

Should you want an appointment for one thing non-urgent, you might be requested to guide on a non-strike day.

If you’re critically ailing or injured

Sufferers ought to name 999 if there’s a life-threatening emergency the place somebody is critically ailing or injured.

Ambulances will prioritise conditions the place there’s a right away threat to life.

A&E departments will stay open and emergency care shall be prioritised in the course of the strike, however sufferers are urged to entry it solely in life-threatening conditions.

If you’re sick or injured, nevertheless it’s not life-threatening

Individuals who want non-urgent medical assist ought to go to NHS 111 on-line or name 111.

Should you go to A&E on a strike day for a non-life-threatening cause, you’ll expertise an extended than regular wait time and you might be redirected to a unique service.

Learn extra:

Well being Secretary criticises junior medical doctors for ‘strolling away’ from talks

Nurses’ strikes in England to finish – as union boss vows ‘combat for honest pay is much from over’

Picture: An indication warns sufferers of longer ready instances in the course of the junior medical doctors’ strike in April

Should you want maternity care

Maternity care is likely one of the precedence areas in the course of the strike.

If you’re pregnant and have any considerations concerning the well being of your self or your child you need to nonetheless contact your maternity unit or GP.

If you’re present process most cancers care

Most cancers care is one other precedence space – however that does not imply most cancers sufferers will essentially be spared cancellations.

You probably have an appointment scheduled on a strike day, you’ll be contacted if it must be rescheduled.

If you’re not informed your appointment has been postponed you need to attend as deliberate.

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You probably have an appointment or surgical procedure booked

Greater than 106,000 appointments had been postponed over the last three-day strike in June.

July’s strike motion will add to the backlog of delayed appointments. It’s anticipated to have a “important affect” on deliberate and routine care.

You can be contacted in case your appointment or surgical procedure is now not going forward. Once more, in the event you aren’t contacted you need to attend.

Sufferers who’ve waited the longest for elective care and most cancers surgical procedure shall be prioritised on strike days.