Health leaders in Cheshire and Merseyside are asking the public to use services wisely for any health needs ahead of “significant service disruption” during industrial action by nurses and ambulance workers on Monday 6 February 2023.
Although Bridgewater Community Healthcare is not part of this round of strikes, some community services might still be impacted.
Prof Rowan Pritchard-Jones, Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, admits there is likely to be significant service disruption and is urging people to make NHS 111 Online their first port of call for non-emergency health needs.
“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 is likely to be significant 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 has arguably never been more important for people to use the available services appropriately.
“There will be fewer ambulances on the roads, with the NHS prioritising those with life-threatening needs, so 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.”
Bridgewater Community Healthcare will keep its’ website and social media accounts updated with information about local service disruption.
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.
Widnes Urgent Treatment Centre is a service provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare. It will be operating as normal (8.00am – 9.00pm) during this round of industrial action although we do expect it to be busier than normal on both days. For further information please visit www.bridgewater.nhs.uk/utc.