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.
GP services are not impacted by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
On days where there is strike action, patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency [when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk].
Ambulances will still be able to respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.
During strike days, it is likely 999 and 111 call handlers will be very busy. As a result, we are urging anyone with a non-urgent care need to first seek help from NHS 111 online (www.111.nhs.uk).
For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening?
This week will see 72 hours of strike action by hospital consultants and junior doctors.
Both will strike together from 7am on Monday 2 October to 7am on Thursday 5 October. During this time radiographers will also strike from 8am on Tuesday 3 October to 8am on Wednesday 4 October.
NHS Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside are set to be severely impacted by these strikes, and the public are being advised that significant service disruption is highly likely.
If we have not contacted you about changing a planned appointment, you should attend as normal on the day.
What if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them.
When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule.
If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment even if your Trust is affected by strikes.
If you want to speak to the Bridgewater Patient Services (PALS), they can be contacted by calling 0800 587 0562 or by emailing bchft.patientservices@nhs.net.
Will emergency care be affected on strike days?
Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country.
It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal.
Will GP services be affected on strike days?
GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments.
When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?
The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
This is likely to be a letter or phone call, and you should be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
Is there anything I should do now?
No, the NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?
No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
What should I do if I need an ambulance?
On strike days, patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.
For all other health care needs support will be available through NHS111 online, via the NHS 111 helpline or at your local GP or pharmacy.
What is considered an emergency?
Patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, or there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.