Public advised to use NHS services wisely ahead of resident doctor industrial action
Shared on behalf of NHS Sussex
The British Medical Association has confirmed that resident doctors will take industrial action from 7am on Wednesday, 17th December until 7am on Monday, 22nd December.
This period comes as the NHS enters a pressured phase of winter, with flu cases rising across Sussex and hospitals already experiencing increased demand for urgent and emergency care in the run up to Christmas.
The NHS in Sussex is working closely with partners to protect patient safety and maintain essential services during the period of industrial action. Emergency and life-saving care will continue to be available, and all other NHS staff including consultants, nurses and wider clinical teams will still be working.
However, during the strikes, there may be fewer doctors available than usual, meaning teams will need to prioritise the most urgent and critical care. Less urgent cases may experience longer waits, and some appointments may need to be rescheduled. If an appointment needs to be changed, patients will be contacted directly. Anyone who has not been contacted should attend their appointment as planned.
NHS 11
To help ensure services remain available for those who need them most, the NHS in Sussex is asking the public to choose the right NHS service for their needs, use NHS 111 online or by phone as the first point of contact for non-life threatening health concerns, only use 999 or attend A&E for serious or life threatening emergencies, and to avoid visiting hospitals if they have flu or COVID 19 symptoms unless it is an emergency.
Please also support timely discharge for loved ones who are medically ready to leave hospital.
GP access
GP practices will continue to be open during the period of industrial action. Some resident doctors who train in GP practices known as GP registrars may take strike action, but practices will remain operational. Patients should continue to attend GP and dental appointments unless told otherwise.