20th July 2023
Advice to patients and families during the consultants’ industrial action
Joined Up Care Derbyshire has issued the following guidance to support patients and communities during the current industrial action by NHS consultants which runs from 7am today (Thursday 20 July) until 7am on Saturday 22 July:
- Please use health services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to those who need it most. Please use 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
- 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. A&E, ambulance and 999 services in Derby and Derbyshire will remain available.
- People in mental health crisis should continue to seek support as normal. Mental health crisis services will be running, as will the Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service (0800 028 0077).
- The NHS will contact you if an appointment needs to be rescheduled due to industrial action. If your appointment needs to be rearranged, NHS staff may try to call you from a withheld number. We understand that it may be frustrating if your appointment needs to be rescheduled, but please show courtesy to the member of staff who is calling you. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.
- Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.