How you can help during next resident doctor strike | Latest news

Resident doctors will be on strike again from 7am on 17 December until 7am on 22 December.

NHS organisations have plans in place to ensure emergency care is prioritised but local people are being asked to support by: 

• Attending hospital and GP appointments unless they are told otherwise by your general practice or hospital.  
• Helping friends and family be discharged from hospital by giving them a lift home, making sure they have essential shopping and important items like clothing and a key.
• Treating themselves at home for less serious conditions. You can find information about self-care on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/  
• Choosing the right NHS service for their needs, such as their local pharmacy, GP or urgent treatment centre.
• Visiting 111 online or phoning 111 if they need medical help now but are not sure what to do.
• Only attending A&E if it is a life-threatening emergency.
• Being kind to staff.  

Dr Dave Briggs, Executive Director of Outcomes (Medical) at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “There are a range of NHS services available for different needs, such as pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and mental health crisis support. If you’re not sure which service is best, please visit NHS111 or phone 111 to be directed to the right place.

“If you have a family member or friend in hospital, you can help them to be discharged quickly by giving them a lift home, making sure they have essential shopping and important items like clothing and a key.”  

Manjeet Shehmar, Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We recognise that the upcoming industrial action may cause some disruption in our hospitals,  but patient safety is our highest priority and we have well-tested plans in place to ensure we can continue to deliver urgent and emergency care to those who need it.

"We aim to continue with planned appointments, and so unless you are told otherwise, please attend as planned. 

“Our A&E will also continue to be open as normal, though we know that there may be added pressure in this area. It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases. If your condition is not urgent, please think carefully about whether you can seek care from other NHS services such as NHS 111, your local pharmacy or urgent treatment centres."