BMA Resident Doctors’ Industrial action – 17 December (7am) until 22 December (7am)

Information for patients and the public

In response to planned industrial action by the British Medical Association (BMA), we are making plans to minimise disruption as much as possible and to preserve patient care. During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate.

• It is really important that you continue to come forward as normal for urgent medical care – especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured. Therefore, please take note below of the temporary changes to emergency care provision in Gloucestershire during the strike.
• We are working hard to minimise the impact this action has on patients. We expect all routine and planned care to go ahead. However, we may need to reschedule some appointments.
• To enable available emergency care staff to come together at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and ensure patient safety during the strike, we are making some temporary changes.

Temporary changes to Cheltenham A&E

Patients are advised not to attend our Emergency Departments unless conditions/symptoms are serious or life threatening.

Planned operations, outpatient clinics and procedures

• Patients who have a planned operation, outpatient clinic or procedure between Wednesday 17 December until (and including) Monday 22 December (during the strike) should attend as usual unless they hear from us directly to advise otherwise
• Patient visiting will continue
• If people have an urgent care need, but are not sure which service to use, they are asked to visit 111.nhs.uk in the first instance or call 111 for advice. The 111 phone service can book people into local NHS services if required, but is likely to see an increase in calls.

Community Minor Injury and Illness Units and GP practices across the county will continue to provide services. The public can get advice on their healthcare options at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.

Whilst the NHS locally is making plans to keep essential services available, the strike will cause disruption and pose substantial challenges. The highest priority will be to care for those in most immediate and urgent need and safeguard patient care.

Getting healthcare advice

• Many parts of the NHS - hospitals, community services and GP practices - are likely to feel the impact of the industrial action - either directly or indirectly - so local people are being urged to use services responsibly.
• If people have an urgent care need, but are not sure which service to use, they are asked to visit 111.nhs.uk in the first instance or call 111 for advice. The 111 phone service can book people into local NHS services if required, but is likely to see an increase in calls.
• 111 online and the local ASAP Glos NHS website and app can provide information on the services provided by community pharmacies, GP surgeries, including the Gloucester Health Access Centre, Community Minor Injury and Illness Units (MIIUs) and the Emergency Department.
• A number of Community Hospital Minor Injury and Illness Units across the county will be open on the days - 8am to 8pm (last walk-in patient seen at 7.30pm). People are likely to be seen more quickly on arrival if they book an appointment by using 111.
• Cheltenham MIIU will be open from 8am to 8pm during the period of industrial action.

People can get the latest on the day service updates and advice on the industrial action through local NHS social media channels and websites.