Information and advice about industrial action planned for 30 April to 1 May

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have voted to take industrial action at various NHS employers across the country, including Robert Jones & Agnus Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) and Shropshire Community NHS Health Trust (ShropCom). The full list of employers can be found on the RCN website.

The next round of industrial action will take place from 8pm on Sunday 30 April to 11.59pm on Monday 1 May. On these dates, RCN members working for RJAH and ShropCom will have the opportunity and personal choice to go on strike for all or some of this time.

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really 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.

Here are some key points to remember:

• If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action
• The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency
• Local Minor Injury Units, GP surgeries and pharmacies are not impacted by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise
• The NHS is also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

More information about the industrial action can be found on the NHS England website.