All NHS services are expected to be under greater pressure than normal during July, as the next period of industrial action gets underway, coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Whether staying at home or on holiday in the UK, people needing medical help are asked to choose wisely and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most.
Junior doctors will be on strike from 7am on Thursday, 13 July until 7am on Tuesday, 18 July. Consultants will be on strike from 7am on 20th July until 7am on 22nd July.
Please follow the NHS’ advice during this time, to help you get the right care, in the right place, as quickly as possible.
You can help by:
- Using 111 online as the first port of call for urgent health needs. Call NHS 111 if you cannot get online.
- Calling 0808 800 3302 for urgent mental health problems or visiting a Neighbourhood Mental Health café.
- Only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).
- Looking after minor illnesses and injuries yourself at home. You can use a local pharmacy, the NHS App or NHS 111 online for advice.
- Using your GP practice as normal.
- Attending any scheduled medical appointments. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
- If you are going on holiday:
- Order your prescriptions for any regular medication in good time, so you don’t run out when you are away.
- Make sure you take your medication with you.
- If you are unwell when away from home in the UK, your first port of call should be your own GP practice. They will be able to provide online, phone and video consultations and arrange for prescriptions to be sent to any pharmacy you choose.
- You can also use NHS 111 online for advice about getting the right care near to where you are.
- Make sure you pack a basic first aid kit.
Visit https://bit.ly/RightNowNHSLLR for more information.