Public urged to use health services appropriately ahead of upcoming NHS industrial action

The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed that members at a number of NHS organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside plan to join strike action this Wednesday (January 18th) and Thursday (January 19th).

GMB members at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust also plan to join strike action on Wednesday, January 18^th ahead of further planned action by North West Ambulance Service staff on Monday, January 23^rd and Tuesday, January 24^th.

Health leaders admit it is inevitable that there will be some service disruption on and around strike days and are urging people to make NHS 111 Online their first port of call for non-emergency health needs.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage any disruption, including industrial action, but inevitably there will be some service disruption.

“Emergency care and other critical services such as maternity departments will be open as usual but, with NHS services already under pressure, it is vital that people use the available services appropriately.

“If you need to access a healthcare service, but it’s not an emergency, please use NHS 111 Online to ensure you are signposted to the right service first time.”

Local NHS services will keep their websites and social media accounts up-to-date with information about any local service disruption – so please check before you travel.

Dr Lemmens added: “The NHS will do everything it can to go ahead with planned procedures – especially for patients in greatest clinical need – and will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.

“Irrespective of any industrial action, please do not hesitate to come forward to access care if you need it.”

NHS 111 Online can tell you:

• Where to get help for your symptoms
• How to find general health information and advice
• Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
• How to get a repeat prescription

More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.

Following a ballot of members at NHS organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside, the Royal College of Nursing has confirmed that members at the following organisations plan to join strike action on both Wednesday, January 18^th and Thursday, January 19^th 2023:

• NHS Cheshire and Merseyside
• Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
• Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

GMB members at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust also plan to join strike action on Wednesday, January 18^th.

Planned North West Ambulance Service action on Monday, January 23^rd and Tuesday, January 24^th as follows:

• January 23^rd - Unison and Unite members only
• January 24^th - GMB members only

Unison action on January 23^rd is also set to be joined by some staff at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

NHS pay is a matter for the Government and trade unions.

Pictured - Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside.