Latest Update on the Industrial Action planned for June

The NHS and local councils in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are working hard to keep people safe during the planned strikes, while delivering the best care possible.

The next planned industrial action is from West Midlands Ambulance Service on Monday 12 June, between 6am - 12noon and 6pm - 12 midnight, as well as junior doctors with strike action planned for 72 hours between 7am on Wednesday 14 June until 7am on Saturday 17 June.

At this time, we would like to reassure everyone across the county that patient safety is our top priority, and that we are working together to try and mitigate the impact to members of the public.

There is likely to be a significant impact upon local services which will mean services will feel different for patients - this could include longer waits or deferred treatment.

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 - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

Hospital appointments

If you have an appointment at our hospitals, please attend unless you hear from us. Please don’t call to check if your appointment is going ahead. We will be in touch with patients directly if we need to rearrange an appointment.

Appointments and procedures will only be rescheduled where necessary and will be rebooked immediately, where possible.

The NHS is working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and to ensure patients are prioritised who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

GP and dental appointments

GP practices will continue to be open during the strikes. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments unless you are contacted and told otherwise.

For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E you can visit the NHS UK website.

Ahead of the industrial action, the advice for anyone who is travelling to other areas is to:

• Make sure you have ordered and collected any repeat medicines, especially if you are travelling.
• Remember that your first port of call for GP care is your home practice which will be able to provide online, phone and video consultations as well as arranging for prescriptions to be sent to any pharmacy you choose.

Our emergency departments (ED)

Our emergency departments remain open 24 hours a day if you have a life-threatening emergency.

No-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen at our emergency departments.

However, please keep 999 and A&E clear for genuine life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 online or by phone for other urgent care needs. If you are contacting 111, please give as much information as you can, as that will help you get the right support and advice.

On days when there is strike action, people should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency. Ambulances will still respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.

Less serious calls may not receive a response for the duration of the strike action. Please do not call back asking for an estimated time of arrival of an ambulance. This information cannot be provided, and it blocks lines for other callers.

When to dial 999

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as:

• Cardiac arrest
• Loss of consciousness
• Fits that aren’t stopping
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Severe bleeding
• Severe allergic reactions
• Suspected stroke
• Serious head injuries.

More information about when to dial 999 is available on the NHS England website.

Please be aware that our hospitals, like the wider NHS and local health and care system, are very busy:

If you have an urgent medical problem that isn’t an emergency and aren’t sure what to do, visit 111 online first or contact by phone – they will provide immediate medical advice and direct you to the best care for your needs.

If you have a minor illness or minor injury, local Minor Injury Units, GP surgeries and pharmacies are open:

• • Minor Injury Units – attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent not life-threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures, and burns. Find your nearest Minor Injury Unit here.
  • Local pharmacies can help with a range of minor illnesses and ailments. Find your local pharmacy here.
  • GP services are operating as normal on days when there is strike action. Contact your GP if you have symptoms that will not go away.

We appreciate the public’s understanding and co-operation during this challenging period and ask that you please play your part by taking simple steps during this time to look after yourself, your loved ones and check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

For more information on services, please click here.