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 17 December till 22 December.  

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.     

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Mark Freeman at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust said:    

Our teams throughout the Trust remain dedicated to supporting individuals who need urgent medical attention due to severe illness or injury, or because their life is in danger. Health issues that are not emergencies can be managed by other healthcare professionals such as your GP or local pharmacy. These services can offer advice and treatment without the need to wait in the Emergency Department.

We recommend, wherever possible, that people contact the NHS 111 service before attending our Emergency Departments. NHS 111 call handlers are trained to assist you and ensure you receive the appropriate urgent care in the right setting.

We are working hard to continue all our scheduled activities; however, a small number of outpatient appointments or planned operations may need to be rescheduled to make sure we can deliver urgent and emergency care to those who need it most.

If you have an appointment or procedure arranged at our Trust, please attend unless you are contacted to rearrange.

Finally, we extend our thanks to all staff who adapted during previous industrial action and for their ongoing 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…

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.    