Patients in the Black Country are being reminded that the NHS will still be available for urgent and emergency care this week but are being asked to use services wisely.
Junior doctors are expected to go on strike for three days from 7am on Wednesday 14 June to 7am Saturday 17 June which will affect local services.
All health and care partners in the Black Country are working together to prepare for the industrial action and are asking the public for their support.
Emergency care will be prioritised, and people are being reminded that 999 and emergency departments are still the right services if it is a life-saving emergency.
However, for anything that isn’t life-threatening, people are being urged to use 111 online as the first port of call for health needs. People can also call 111 for help, advice, and signposting to the most appropriate service.
Pharmacies, GP appointments, walk-in centres, minor injury units and urgent treatment centres will continue to be available during the industrial action and can help people with a range of injuries and illnesses.
People with hospital appointments should continue to come forward for the care they need and do not need to call to check if appointments are going ahead. If appointments do need to be rearranged due to strike action, patients will be contacted directly.
Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.
“If you need medical help or advice, you should contact NHS 111 in the first instance, and they will direct you to the most appropriate service for advice or treatment. This could include your local pharmacy, GP or a local NHS walk-in centre.
“By ensuring you choose the most appropriate service, this will help NHS services to manage demand and ensure A&E departments can focus on treating people with serious and life-threatening conditions.
"We’d like to thank the public for all their support, and we are also incredibly grateful to all of our hard-working staff and volunteers as they work to keep patients safe during this busy period.”
Julian Hobbs, Medical Director at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our number one priority is to ensure that those in greatest need continue to have access to high quality care during the industrial action this week.
“Staff are working hard to minimise disruption to care and treatment, and to support one another, however junior doctors make up a significant portion of the workforce in hospitals so there will be an impact on services and waiting times in A&E are expected to be much longer than usual.
“We’d like to thank people for their patience and their ongoing support by using NHS services appropriately.”
NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. You can contact the service online 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Pharmacists can also offer expert advice on lots of common conditions such as coughs, colds, aches, and pains. To find your local pharmacy, visit the NHS website here.
People should only call 999 if it is a medical emergency.
