NHS plans for 3-day strike action

Patients should attend NHS appointments unless they have heard otherwise during the industrial action that will impact on NHS services across the region this week.

NHS leaders are also asking the public to only call 999 for an ambulance or attend A&E for life-threatening conditions or injuries only during strike action which begins at 7am on Wednesday 14 June through to 7am on Saturday 17 June.

Industrial action by British Medical Association (BMA) members will affect NHS services across the North East and North Cumbria, however, emergency, and urgent care services are being prioritised to remain open.

Dr Neil O'Brien executive medical director, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board said: "Robust plans are in place right across our region to ensure a good and safe level of care is provided to those patients who need help during this time, with emergency and urgent care services being prioritised.

"It's likely some appointments and treatments will need to be postponed; these will be rearranged as a priority. However, patients should assume their scheduled appointment or treatment will take place unless they have heard otherwise, there is no need to contact the NHS.

"GP practices and local pharmacies will also be open as usual during the industrial action to help with advice and treatments.

"Junior doctors are highly valued members of the NHS, providing skilled support to frontline services. Teams have worked hard to plan for this industrial action using learning from previous industrial action that has affected the NHS, I'd like to thank everyone involved for their input to keep patients safe during this time."

Public are reminded for urgent health needs which are not life-threatening, www.111.nhs.uk and NHS 111 are available 24 hours a day. A symptom checker can be used to assess symptoms and it will re-direct to a health professional if people need to be seen by someone. Also self-care advice is available on-line from the NHS at www.nhs.uk.

Anyone needing urgent mental health support should continue to seek it via their local Crisis Team. People can put their postcode in here to find their local Crisis line:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline