The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that resident doctors will take industrial action from 7am on Monday 15 June until 7am on Friday 19 June.
During the strikes, there may be fewer doctors working than usual, and services will prioritise life‑saving and urgent care. As with previous periods of industrial action, this may mean longer waits for less urgent care and some disruption to planned appointments.
NHS organisations have plans in place to ensure emergency care is prioritised but local people are being asked to support by:
- Attending hospital and GP appointments unless they are told otherwise by your general practice or hospital.
- Helping friends and family be discharged from hospital by giving them a lift home, making sure they have essential shopping and important items like clothing and a key.
- Treating themselves at home for less serious conditions. You can find information about self-care on the NHS website.
- Choosing the right NHS service for their needs, such as their local pharmacy, GP or urgent treatment centre.
- Visiting 111 online or phoning 111 if they need medical help now but are not sure what to do.
- Only attending A&E if it is a life-threatening emergency.
- Being kind to staff.
Dr Dave Briggs, Executive Director of Outcomes (Medical) for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, said: “During the industrial action, people can help by choosing the right service for their needs. There are a range of NHS services available, such as pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and mental health crisis support. If you’re not sure which service is best, please visitNHS111 or phone 111 to be directed to the right place.
“GP practices will continue to be open as normal and there are more ways than ever before to contact them. You can send your symptoms and requests through your GP’s website or via the NHS App, as well as contacting them by phone.
“People can also help by taking sensible steps to look after themselves and their loved ones, making sure they have enough regular medication and checking in on vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.”
Mark Simmonds, Deputy Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “During the industrial action period, we expect to see additional pressures in our hospitals which may result in patients having to wait longer to be seen. However, I want to reassure our patients that their safety is our priority and that plans have been put in place to reduce the impact on those who need our care the most.
“If you have an appointment planned, we encourage you to attend unless told otherwise. A&E will also remain open, so please use in an emergency. We do know that there will be added pressure in this area so please consider using other services if your condition is not urgent.”
Dr Simon Roe, Chief Medical Officer, Sherwood Forest Hospitals said: “Our priority throughout this period of industrial action is to maintain safe urgent and emergency care, and our Emergency Department remains open for anyone who needs us in a genuine emergency.
“Resident doctors make a significant contribution to the day‑to‑day running of our services, and we value the professionalism they bring, including those who choose to work during this period. We are planning carefully to support teams and to minimise disruption to patient care.”
Find out more about other NHS services:
NHS 111
There are a range of services available to help. Visit 111.nhs.uk or phone 111, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for advice, appointments or to get directed to the most appropriate service.
Pharmacy
Local pharmacies can help with less urgent conditions and may be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First).
Conditions they can treat through Pharmacy First are:
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
Some pharmacies open late (until midnight) and at weekends. Find out more about pharmacies near you on our pharmacy web page.
Self-care
We also have self-care information to help you manage common conditions such as minor burns and scalds, conjunctivitis, constipation and cystitis on our website. The NHS website also has helpful information about different health conditions.
Children’s health and wellbeing
Find advice for worried parents, covering common illnesses and when to seek treatment for you baby or child. This covers conditions such as chickenpox, asthma, earache, scarlet fever and many more.
Mental health
If you need mental health support, or are in crisis, you can call 111 (option 2) to be directed to the right support. You can also find information on mental health services and support.
Nottinghamshire Crisis Sanctuaries can help you with support, information and guidance if you are over 18 years old and experiencing mental health issues or in a mental health crisis.
You can just drop in to one of the sanctuaries or visit the Nottinghamshire Crisis Sanctuaries website for more information.
- Beeston: 318 High Road, NG9 1EJ: 6pm to 11pm Monday to Sunday
- Mansfield: top of St John Street, NG18 1QJ: 4pm to 9pm Monday to Sunday
- Worksop: Hardy Street, S80 1EH: 5pm to 10pm Wednesday and Sunday
- Nottingham City: the Wellbeing Hub, 73 Hounds Gate, NG1 6BB: 6pm to 11pm Monday to Sunday
General practice
Contact your General Practice team about symptoms that aren’t going away. They can offer telephone, online, or face-to-face appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional depending on what your health concern is. You can send your symptoms and requests through your GP’s website or via the NHS App, as well as contacting them by phone. Remember, your GP is open until 6.30pm and if you need help out of hours, please visit 111 online or phone 111.
Urgent treatment centres
You can visit your local Urgent Treatment Centre for sprains, fractures, minor burns and skin infections:
- Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Treatment Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA Tel: 0115 883 8500
- Newark – Newark Hospital is open every day 8am-10.30pm (last patient seen at 9.30pm). Boundary Road, NG24 4DE
Dental care
For urgent dental care you can call your local NHS dentist, contact NHS111 or visit Dental care – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB for a list of practices offering urgent dental appointments.
