Residents are being asked to call NHS 111 for all non-emergency healthcare needs from Friday (November 14), as resident doctors are set to strike.
The strike action comes at the NHS’s busiest time of year, meaning staff will face significant challenges in managing increased numbers of patients with even less staff than normal for wintertime.
The strike comes after ongoing disputes over working conditions and rate of pay.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has previously demanded a 26% pay rise and an increase in training places.
Whilst the government proposed additional speciality training places and covering exam fees, the BMA rejected the offers as the pay issue had not been resolved.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Medical Director, Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones, said: “Inevitably, a walkout on this scale will lead to significant service disruption.”
The industrial action will start at 7am on Friday until 7am on Wednesday, November 19. Unions have announced a full walkout of resident doctors.
Resident doctors make up almost half of the hospital doctors as their roles include working in every department, including A&E, diagnosing or putting people under anaesthetic, helping with admission and discharge, writing prescriptions, and ensuring beds are available for those most in need.
Although it is being advised not to call 999 unless as a last resort, the service will, of course, still remain open and available to those in need; staff members just want to make sure they are prioritising those who require urgent attention.
If you are unsure of who to call or where to go, NHS 111 online can assess and direct you to the right place.
