BMA Resident Doctors’ Industrial action – Friday 14 November (7am) to Wednesday 19 November (7am)

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

Temporary changes to Cheltenham A&E

This enables available emergency care staff to come together at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to ensure patient safety. 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 Friday 14 November until (and including) Wednesday 19 November (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.

“One Gloucestershire health and care partners are working closely together to ensure those in greatest need continue to have access to high quality care and support. We are extremely grateful to the staff who will be working during this period to keep essential services running for patients.

It’s also vital that we all work together to keep the Emergency Department in Gloucester clear for life threatening conditions and serious injuries.

The public can help by thinking carefully about their healthcare options and getting advice when needed from NHS 111. Advice will also be available through local NHS social media channels.”

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.

Further public information about the industrial action, including FAQs, has been published by NHS England.