Fylde coast health service braced for busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend amid planned resident doctor strikes
Fylde coast health services are expected to face significant pressure over the long weekend, with members of the public urged to use services responsibly.
Resident doctors are set to begin five days of industrial action from 7am on Tuesday, 7 April. The strike is expected to have a substantial impact on NHS services, as resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, account for nearly half of the medical workforce.
Sign up for our Blackpool Gazette retro newsletter - warm nostalgia delivered to your inbox - weekly.
Despite the planned industrial action, patients in need of urgent medical attention are strongly encouraged to seek care as usual, particularly in emergency or life-threatening situations. Anyone who is seriously ill or injured, or whose life may be at risk, should continue to come forward without hesitation.
Professor Craig Harris, chief commissioning officer at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which organises health services for the region, said: “The Easter bank holiday weekend and the days that follow are usually a very busy time for the health service and in light of the industrial action taking place we are urging the public to use the right service for their needs, including 111 online for quick and easy medical help.
Join our Blackpool Gazette WhatsApp group to get all the top stories delivered straight to your phone
“111 online can direct people to the right service quickly, provide medical advice, and helps to keep urgent and emergency services free for the most seriously ill and injured patients. We know from recent experience that industrial action has a big impact on our hospitals, the services they provide, and the wider NHS.
“Please remember that those whose appointments are affected will be contacted in advance, so please still attend if you haven’t heard from us. Please be reassured that the NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage the disruption caused by industrial action and protect emergency treatment.”
NHS 111 can tell you:
- Where to get help for your symptoms.
- How to find general health information and advice.
- Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine.
- How to get a repeat prescription.
- How to get an emergency dental appointment.
Plan ahead to stay well this Easter
In terms of forward planning to reduce the impact on the NHS, the official advice for people during the long Easter Bank Holiday weekend is as follows: “A little preparation before the bank holiday can reduce the likelihood of needing NHS help.
“Make sure you have enough of any regularly prescribed medication to last the weekend, and check that your medicine cabinet is stocked with essential items, including pain relief, cold and flu remedies, throat lozenges, antihistamines, and basic first aid supplies such as plasters and antiseptic cream.
“Most of these items can be purchased at your local pharmacy or supermarket. Check the expiry dates on any medicines you already have and replace anything that is out of date.”
You can access NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. Please note that NHS 111 online is not available for children under five. If you need urgent medical help for a child under five, please call 111. Please attend A&E in any life-threatening emergencies.
More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website. To find your nearest pharmacy, visit nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy.