Resident doctors’ strike: Please choose healthcare services wisely during strike action

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 five days from 14 November till 19 November.

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 Dr Richard Robinson said at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust said:  

We advise during the period of industrial action, where possible, that people call the NHS 111 service before coming to our Emergency Departments. NHS 111 call handlers are trained to help you and make sure you get the right urgent treatment in the right place.

If anyone has an appointment or procedure due to take place at our Trust, please attend unless you are contacted to rearrange.

We are actively working hard on plans to maintain 'business as usual', however there may be a small number of out-patient appointments or elective operations that may need to be rearranged, ensuring that we can provide urgent and emergency treatment to those who need it most.

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.   

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.