Resident doctor industrial action - 25 to 30 July

Residents in Warrington and Halton are urged to use NHS 111 for all non-emergency healthcare needs as resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) are set to begin strike action later this week.

Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments should be used only when facing a serious or life-threatening emergency.

This latest round of industrial action, called by the British Medical Association (BMA), will take place from 7am on Friday 25 July to 7am on Wednesday 30 July and will severely impact NHS trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Dr Paul Fitzsimmons, Executive Medical Director at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are asking the public to continue making responsible choices when seeking urgent medical advice or assistance. This helps us ensure that resources are prioritised for those who need them most.

“Please use A&E and 999 services only for serious or life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that are not stopping, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, allergic reactions, and serious head injuries. If you do need emergency care, please do not hesitate to come forward.

“For urgent medical needs that are not emergencies, there are other services available, including NHS 111 online, which can help if you are unsure which service is most appropriate for your situation, as well as local urgent treatment centres and pharmacies.”

NHS 111 can ensure that patients are signposted to the right service. The online service works the same as over the phone and is already popular with people who want quick advice about the best options for getting the care they need. These can include a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, an appointment in A&E or other advice.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals has tried and tested plans in place for managing periods of disruption, including industrial action, to ensure the safety of patients remaining in hospital at these times. 

The Trust will prioritise resources to protect urgent and emergency care services, critical care, neonatal care, maternity and trauma services and aims to mitigate the impact on patients who have waited longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

Dr Fitzsimmons added: “Resident doctors are an important part of our team and work in almost every part of a busy hospital, including A&E. We will do our utmost to minimise disruption to services.

“Patients should attend any planned appointments as normal, unless they are contacted directly by the Trust.”

For more information on Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals services during the planned industrial action, please check the Trust’s website www.whh.nhs.uk or follow the Trust’s social media channels.

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