Strike action August 2023: information and advice

News - 9 August 2023

Junior doctors are planning to strike from 7am on Friday 11 August until 7am on Tuesday 15 August.
Consultant doctors will be taking strike action from 7am on Thursday 24 August until 7am on Saturday 26 August.

• The upcoming combined and concerted period of industrial action by junior doctors and hospital consultants will create significant challenges for the NHS and it is vital the public are aware of the pressure the health service will be under and know the best way to access care during that time. 
• The NHS is working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery. We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and will rebook immediately, where possible. Unfortunately, these strikes will have a significant impact upon planned and routine care.
• The NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency. The NHS is also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
• Use Get to know where to go for further information on finding the right NHS service.
• The NHS is continuing to deliver planned care where possible, especially for patients in greatest clinical need. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
• 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 practices will continue to be open during the junior doctors and consultants strikes however, they will be impacted. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
• Ahead of industrial action, please take the following advice if travelling to other parts of the country:

• If you’re staying in England for your holiday this summer and need a GP appointment, please call your surgery back home. Your own surgery is used to helping by phone, video and email. And if you need a prescription, they can send it to any pharmacy you choose.
• Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, though your GP practice website or, if you do not have access to GP online services, by calling your GP practice.
• Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit at home or with you. Find out what you need here.

For regular updates and more information on industrial action taking place, visit the Greater Manchester Integrated Care website.

Click here