THE NHS across the Thames Valley is sharing advice to help residents amid a continued national strike action by resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) until 7am Monday, April 13.
The NHS trusts affected by this action across the Thames Valley include the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
The NHS says that during the strikes, all other NHS staff, including consultants and other specialist doctors, will still be working, and the focus will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate safely.
The NHS will be working closely with the BMA to discuss any patient safety concerns and ensure safe staffing for emergency care continues to be available.
While NHS Trusts will do their best to only cancel planned appointments where it is necessary, they explain that there will be disruption to patient appointments during the strike.
Patients with appointments booked on strike days will be contacted if their appointment has to be rescheduled due to industrial action.
If they have not been contacted, they should attend their appointment as planned.
Dr Lalitha Iyer, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Thames Valley ICB, said: “We need patients to choose services appropriately during this period and take simple steps to help ensure care is available for people who need it most.
“This includes using NHS 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and as ever only using 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency. For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, see the NHS UK website.
“General Practice will be open as usual for their patients and community pharmacies can also treat a range of minor illnesses through the Pharmacy First service
“At the same time, it’s really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases–when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
“We’re also asking people to make sure they have enough of prescribed medications. Prescriptions can be ordered via the NHS App, through a General Practice website or, if you do not have access to online services, by calling your General Practice.
“Ensure you have a fully-stockedfirst aid kit at home or with you.”
“And last but not least, NHS staff will work hard during this very challenging time – we are asking everyone to treat them with respect.
“We appreciate people’s understanding and co-operation during this period.”
