Resident doctors’ strike: Please choose healthcare services wisely | News

The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is appealing to the community to make informed decisions about their healthcare needs ahead of planned industrial action this week.   

The Resident doctors’ strike (previously known as Junior doctors) will run for  six  days from 7 April   till  13 April .    

The Trust, which runs Pinderfields Hospital, Dewsbury District Hospital and Pontefract Hospital, has asked the local community to consider the service that is right for them, ensuring  timely and  appropriate treatment for their medical conditions.         

Chief  Medical Officer Richard Robinson at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust said:        

Our teams across the Trust remain focused on caring for people who need urgent medical help because they are seriously unwell, injured, or their life is at risk. Health concerns that are not emergencies can often be safely treated by other healthcare professionals, such as your GP or local pharmacy. These services can provide advice and treatment without the need to wait in the Emergency Department.  

Wherever possible, we ask people to contact NHS 111 before attending our Emergency Departments. NHS 111 advisers are trained to assess your needs and guide you to the most  appropriate urgent  care service.  

We are continuing to deliver planned services wherever we can. However, to ensure urgent and emergency care is available for those who need it most, a small number of outpatient appointments or planned operations may need to be rearranged.  

If you have an appointment or procedure scheduled at the Trust, please attend as planned unless you are contacted directly to reschedule.  

Finally, we would like to thank all our staff for their flexibility during  previous  industrial action and for their continued commitment and support.’’  

Alternative NHS services            

NHS 111 Online        

If you have an urgent medical problem that  isn’t  an emergency and  aren’t  sure what to do, contact NHS 111 first by phone or   online    – they will  provide  medical advice and direct you to the best care for you.        

GP appointments in Wakefield            

In addition to NHS 111, patients in Wakefield can get face-to-face GP appointments for urgent problems and book routine appointments in advance, for when their own GP practice is closed, through the GP Care Wakefield service.        

The service is available between 5pm and 9.30pm on weekdays; and 9am and 1pm on Sundays and bank holidays.      All you need to do is contact your own practice telephone number, at any time of day and you will get through to the right service.         

GP appointments in Kirklees        

GP surgeries in Kirklees offer appointments until 8pm on weekdays. Some appointments may be at a nearby surgery rather than your usual GP practice. You can book appointments, arrange medication, and access advice online, check your GP practice website for details.        

King Street walk in centre in Wakefield            

King Street Walk in Centre, Wakefield, is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, between 10am and 10pm.        

Pharmacy        

You can also call into your local pharmacy for expert advice on many common illnesses such as headaches, sore throats and aches and pains, and there is no need to book an appointment.      Visit     togetherwe-can.com     for advice to help you choose the right service.         

Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, though your GP practice website or, if you do not have access to GP online services, by calling your GP practice.  

Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit at home or with you. Find out what you need here  https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-keep-in-my-first-aid-kit/  

Mental health support        

Mental health support will continue to be available throughout the strike action and bank holiday period. Visit   https://togetherwe-can.com/mental-health    for details of local services. For urgent help in a mental health crisis, call your local 24 hr helpline, for Wakefield and Kirklees this is: 0800 183 0558.          

Regardless of any strike action taking place, if you are a patient who needs  urgent care     for emergency and life-threatening cases continue to come forward as normal.      For more information on       when to go to A&E, please visit the    NHS UK website.         

We can all play our part to protect ourselves and those around us by using the right health and care services when we need help, advice, and support.