NHS warning of busy services over the weekend as industrial action continues

The NHS is warning of severe delays and busy services across the weekend and into Monday as the junior doctor strikes continue.  

Junior doctors are taking strike action from 7am on Thursday 13 July to 7am on Tuesday 18 July. The strikes are due to impact the city and county’s hospitals, mental health services, GP practices and other NHS services.  

There will be major disruption during this period of strike action, especially over the weekend period, and NHS leaders are urging people to only attend A&E or call 999 in an emergency.  

The local NHS is working really hard to keep important services like emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma open and running smoothly. However, some elective or planned service will be affected due to the reduction in staff. 

Dr David Selwyn, Medical Director at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: “Demand for NHS services remains high with our emergency departments being particularly busy with long waits to be seen over a normal weekend even without the impact of this weekend’s industrial action. 

“Before visiting A&E, we’re asking people to please consider whether it is a genuine emergency as it’s often not the best place for their needs. By choosing to contact NHS111 online, or use their GP, pharmacy or urgent treatment centre they will receive their care quicker. 

“They should not hesitate to phone call 999 if they are facing life-threatening illness or injury. The NHS is here when they need it – especially if they or their loved ones become seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk. 

“We know that high demand means that patients sometimes have to wait longer for the treatment they need and I would like to thank our patients for their understanding as our hard-working NHS staff work to see them as quickly as possible, we triage our patients to ensure that we see those in most need, first.” 

How the public can help over the weekend: 

• Please use A&E or call 999 if you are facing life threatening illness or injury. Your NHS is here for you when you need it – especially if you or your loved ones become seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk. 
• If your relative is due to be discharged from hospital and needs to be collected, please do whatever you can to help bring them home as early as possible. This will help our teams to free-up a hospital bed for someone waiting to be admitted. 
• The quickest way to receive medical help is via NHS111 online, but you can also use your GP, pharmacy or urgent treatment centre. 
• Pharmacies can offer over-the-counter advice and treat common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, stings and allergies. 
• Consider using Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs). They can treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds, and other non-life-threatening conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. We have UTCs at: 
• Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Care Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. You don’t need an appointment to attend. Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA Tel: 0115 883 8500 
• Newark – Newark Hospital is open 9am-10pm (last patient admitted at 9.30pm). It can be found on Boundary Road, NG24 4DE 
• Ilkeston Community Hospital – is open 8am – 8pm. It can be found on Heanor Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8LN. You can book into this service via 111. 
   

Consultants, who are the most senior clinicians, will then go on strike for 48-hours from 7am on Thursday 20 July to 7am Saturday 22 July, this action will also impact the city and county’s hospitals and mental health services.  

For more advice on how you can help the NHS and choose the right service, please see our message from Dr Dave Briggs.